Thousands evacuated, flights canceled as Taiwan girds for typhoon Haikui

People walk and drive under heavy rain as the Typhoon Haikui approaches the country, in Taipei, Sept 2, 2023. [AP Photo]

Domestic flights were canceled and almost 3,000 people were evacuated as Taiwan prepared for the arrival of Typhoon Haikui on Sunday. The storm is expected to bring torrential rain and strong winds to the island's south and east.

Haikui is forecast to make landfall in the mountainous and sparsely populated far southeast of Taiwan late Sunday afternoon, with counties and cities in the east and south canceling classes and declaring a day off for workers.