Taiwan is bracing for a direct hit by Typhoon Soulik early Saturday, prompting precautionary evacuations due to the risk of landslides, and airlines predicting high winds that would disrupt flights.
Soulik may make landfall in northeastern Yilan or eastern Hualien counties early Saturday and drop as much as a meter of rain on the island's northern and central mountains Friday and Saturday, the Central Weather Bureau said.
President Ma Ying-jeou called on local governments and citizens to make preparations and be on alert for mudslides, according to a statement from his office Friday.