In news from and about Taiwan this morning.

Land and sea warnings remain in effect for Gaemi - which has now been
downgraded to a tropical storm.

However, the land warning only covers Kinmen and Matsu, while the sea warning
now covers the Taiwan Strait and waters north of Taiwan proper.

The Central Weather Administration is expected to lift the land warning later
this morning.

The storm made landfall in China's Fujien Province late yesterday.

It's currently located some 170-kilometers west-northwest of Kinmen and
moving in a north-northwesterly direction at speeds of between 12 and
16-kilometers-an-hour.

It now packing sustained wind speeds of 83-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of
up to 108-kilometers-an-hour.

Heavy rain or extremely heavy rain advisories are currently in effect for
mountainous areas of Taichung and Nantou as well as for Chiayi County,
Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Penghu.

While heavy rain advisories are in effect for Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua
County, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi City, Taitung, Kinmen and Matsu.

The Central Weather Administration says all of the advisories will remain in
effect through late this morning.

Typhoon Gaemi has weakened to a severe tropical storm as it continues to move
west.

The storm has left 3 dead and 380 injured across the island.

Nationwide, over 12-thousand disaster incidents were reported, with more than
4-thousand-800 involving fallen trees.

Significant flooding occurred in central and southern Taiwan.

12-thousand people were safely evacuated from high-risk areas.

Maritime rescues included seven incidents, with several cargo ships grounded
or distressed.

All crews were reported safe.

As of 7 PM Thursday, more than 57-thousand households across the country are
without electricity.

Taipower reported that heavy rain has led to widespread flooding and road
closures, making repairs difficult.

Work and classes have been suspended Friday 7/26 in the following areas:

Hsinchu County's Jianshi and Wufeng Townships

Taichung City's Heping District

Yunlin County

Nantou County

Chiayi County's Alishan Township

Kaohsiung's Namasia, Jiaxian, Shanlin, Qishan, Meinong, Taoyuan, Liugui, and
Maolin Districts

Yilan County's Nanao and Su'ao Townships

Hualien's Xiulin Township, Fushi Village, and Buluowan

Lienchiang County (morning only)

Kinmen County

Typhoon Gaemi made landfall near Yilan County's Nan'ao Township at around
midnight before leaving Taiwan near Taoyuan's Xin-Wu District at 4:20 this
morning.

A land warning remains in affect for Taiwan proper as well for Penghu, Kinmen
and Matsu.

School and offices are closed islandwide today.

Typhoon Gaemi is currently located some 30-kilometers north-northwest of
Hsinchu and is moving in a west-northwesterly direction at speeds of between
12 and 16 -kilometers-an-hour.

The storm still has a radius of 250-kilometers.

However, it has weakened slightly after crossing Taiwan - and is now packing
sustained wind speeds of 162-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to
198-kilometers-an-hour.

The Ministry of National Defense has announced that today's planned Wanan air
raid drill in Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung has been
canceled due to Typhoon Gaemi.

Taiwan-based airlines have announced cancellations and schedule changes, as
have other international carriers and travelers are being advised to check
with their airlines before heading to the airport.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration has announced that all of today's
scheduled 264 domestic flights have been canceled.

Train and metro services are also affected again today.

The Taiwan Railway Corporation and the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation
have both canceled all services before 3PM.

The Taoyuan Metro has once again canceled all direct services running from
Taipei to Taoyuan International Airport.

However, non-airport express trains will still run at 15 minute intervals
depending on weather conditions.

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation says trains running underground remain
unaffected by the typhoon.

Trains on the Wenhu Line, the Tamsui-Xinyi Line, the Songshan-Xindian Line,
the Bannan Line and the Zhonghe-Xinlu Line are running at 15-minute
intervals.

But services on elevated sections of track could be suspended depending on
the weather conditions.

In response to 'Severe' Typhoon Gaemi, all regions across Taiwan have
announced a suspension of classes and work on Thursday, including the
outlying islands.

As of 8:30 PM Wednesday, Typhoon Gaemi still hasn't made landfall.

At that time, the storm was located 40 kilometres south to southeast of
Hualien, but it's expected to turn northwest, moving at 15 kilometres per
hour.

The Central Weather Administration anticipates the storm's epicentre will
make landfall before midnight Wednesday.

Central Weather Administration data showed the typhoon widened and gained
strength as it drew closer to northeastern Taiwan over the course of
Wednesday Afternoon, with wind speeds rising to between 194 and 234
kilometres per hour.

Throughout Wednesday, the storm promted suspension of Taipei MRT Brown Line
Services late afternoon, as well as Kaohsiung Light Rail Transit System
services; Kaohsiung City bus services were also suspended later in the
evening.

The Taiwan Railways Administration announced all its train services
nationwide are suspended until noon Thursday.

All 264 domestic flights scheduled for Thursday are also cancelled.

Meanwhile, TaiPower says it's working to restore power to thousands of
households, including those in Hualien, Kaohsiung and Pingtung, among others.

The CWA also issued purple extremely torrential rain advisories for central,
northern and southern mountainous areas -- that's the highest tier the CWA
can issue for rain.

Accumulated daily rainfall in these areas is expected to be over a thousand
millimeters.

Red and orange rain alerts are in place for almost everywhere else on the
island.

Remember to watch out for flooding.

And if driving keep a look out for falling trees or debris on roads.

Stay indoors when possible, limit travel and stay updated with local
advisories.

'Severe' Typhoon Gaemi is still on the way...

We can expect the next update regarding the storm's position and wind speeds
at around 8:30 PM from the Central Weather Administration.

Earlier today, the CWA said Gaemi was likely to make landfall between Yi-lan
and Hua-lian, and could happen as early as 9 PM or 10 PM.

People in those areas should stay vigilant for violent winds and torrential
rain.

If you're driving, watch out for falling trees and/or debris on roads.

Meanwhile, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County and
Hualien County have all announced a suspension of work and classes tomorrow
(the 25th), joining Central Taiwan and Kinmen County.

As for other regions, we can expect an official announcement within the hour.

Meanwhile, TaiPower said it's scrambling to restore power to over 3 thousand
500 households in Tainan.

Earlier data indicated over 100 thousand households nationwide experienced
power cuts today, due to the effects of the storm.

Meanwhile, Taipei MRT reminds passengers that services on the Brown Line are
still suspended.

Other Taipei MRT lines are running, though scheduling adjustments may take
effect, depending on weather conditions.

Buses in Kaohsiung City are suspending services, effective now.

Meanwhile, thousands of travelers are stranded in Penghu, as all flights
between Penghu and Taiwan, as well as flights to Qimei, are cancelled.

Strong Typhoon Gaemi is still sweeping closer and closer to Taiwan...

The storm's epicentre is now located 30 kilometres east of Hualien, moving
northwest at speeds of around 19 kilometres and hour.

Its radius of gale-force winds now stands at 270 kilometres, packing wind
speeds of between 190 and 234 kilometres per hour...

That's pretty fast but still doesn't beat Taiwan High Speed Rail's top speed.

The Central Weather Administration says Gaemi is likely to make landfall
between Yi-lan and Hua-lian before midnight tonight, and could happen as
early as 9 (PM) or 10 PM.

People in those areas should stay vigilant for violent winds and torrential
rain.

Authorities in Central Taiwan have already announced a suspension of work and
school for tomorrow, the 25th.

This includes Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, Yunlin County,
Nantou County, Chiayi County and Chiayi City.

Kinmen County has also announced a suspension of work and school for tomorrow.

So if you live in these places, you're in luck -- no work or school tomorrow.

As for other regions, we can expect an official announcment later in the
evening about whether work and school tomorrow is cancelled.

The CWA has issued thunderstorm and strong wind warnings for Yilan and
Hualian, saying people there should watch out for lightning strikes, very
strong gusty winds, heavy downpours and flash floods.

The Defense Ministry says two Navy Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles
have been fully prepared and stationed at the Su'ao Town Office to prepare
for disaster prevention and relief efforts.

Taipei MRT announced that the Wen-hu Brown line temporarily suspended
operations at 4:15 PM, due to strong winds from the typhoon.

While all other Taipei MRT lines appear to be operating, though transport
officials warn frequencies on other lines may be adjusted.

Passengers are advised to take note and keep up to date with travel
advisories.

Meanwhile, TaiPower is also working to restore power to thousands of
households nationwide.

Strong Typhoon Gaemi has yet to make landfall in Taiwan but its winds and
rain have already toppled trees, damaged buildings and knocked out power to
tens of thousands of households.

According to the Central Emergency Operation Center, the storm has also
caused one death and 58 injuries.

Evacuations are also ongoing in the high-risk mountainous areas, including
New Taipei, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingdong, and Taoyuan's Fuxing Township.

Strong typhoon Gaemi is packing sustained wind speeds of
191-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 234-kilometers-an-hour.

It's currently located some 80-kilometers southeast of Yilan and moving in a
northwesterly direction at a relatively slow speed of 15 kilometers-an-hour.

Because the typhoon is going slow, the CWA says its path may spin and veer a
bit southward when it gets closer to Taiwan.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the Yilan-Hualien area around 9
to 10 PM tonight

The CWA's purple extremely heavy rain alert remains in effect for the
mountainous areas from Yilan down to Pingdong,
saying that the accumulated rainfall on Taipingshan has reached 500
millimeters so far today.

Meanwhile forecasters have issued a typhoon strong wind warning, saying as
the typhoon approaches, sustained winds of level 12 or gusts of level 14 or
higher are anticipated.

They say people should immediately seek shelter in sturdy buildings and stay
away from elevated roads, bridges, overpasses, scaffolding, windows, trees,
cars, or other objects that could be blown away, as well as reduce speed if
driving.

The Central Weather Administration has upgraded Typhoon Gaemi to the status
of a "strong typhoon."

Gaemi is currently located some 160-kilometers southeast of Yilan and moving
in a west-northwesterly direction at speeds of between 13 and
18-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm is now packing sustained wind speeds of 184-kilometers-an-hour,
with gusts of up to 227-kilometers-an-hour.

It's expected to make landfall in the Yilan-Hualien area sometime late this
evening.

However, the administration in warning the storm could still veer in a more
northerly, or southerly direction ...

.. and says as it is currently moving relatively slowly, it's not ruling out
the possibilty that it could further slow down before it makes landfall -
making it's path more unpredictable.

The storm's outer rim is now affecting the north, east of center of Taiwan
proper and the weather administration says Taiwan is likely to be hit hardest
between tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Heavy or sporadic rain is being reporting across much of the island ... and
rain advisories are in effect islandwide.

Torrential rain advisories or extremely torrential rain advisories have been
issued for Taichung and Nantou as well as in Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan Kaohsiung
and Pingtung.

The weather administration is forecasting that accumulated rainfall in
mountainous areas of Hualien could reach around 1-meter, while rainfall of
between 25 and-40-centimeters is being forecast for low lying areas.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Railways Corporation is suspending all services this
afternoon.

While the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation says departures and
arrivals are heavily affected and 219 flights have been cancelled so far
today.

Travelers are being advised to check with their airlines before heading to
the airport.

The Central Weather Administration has upgraded Typhoon Gaemi to the status
of a "strong typhoon."

Gaemi is currently located some 160-kilometers southeast of Yilan and moving
in a west-northwesterly direction at speeds of between 13 and
18-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm is now packing sustained wind speeds of 184-kilometers-an-hour,
with gusts of up to 227-kilometers-an-hour.

It's expected to make landfall in the Yilan-Hualien area sometime late this
evening.

However, the administration in warning the storm is could still veer in a
more northerly, or southerly direction ...

.. and says as it is currently moving relatively slowly, it's not ruling out
the possibilty that it could further slow down before it makes landfall -
making it's path more unpredictable.

The storm's outer rim is now affecting the north, east of center of Taiwan
proper and the weather administration says Taiwan is likely to be hit hardest
between tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Heavy or sporadic rain is being reporting across much of the island ... and
rain advisories are in effect islandwide.

Torrential rain advisories or extremely torrential rain advisories have been
issued for Taichung and Nantou as well as in Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan Kaohsiung
and Pingtung.

The weather administration is forecasting that accumulated rainfall in
mountainous areas of Hualien could reach around 1-meter, while rainfall of
between 25 and-40-centimeters is being forecast for low lying areas.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Railways Corporation is suspending all services this
afternoon.

While the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation says departures and
arrivals are heavily affected and 219 flights have been cancelled so far
today.

Travelers are being advised to check with their airlines before heading to
the airport.

The Central Weather Administration says the outer rim of Typhoon Gaemi is now
affecting the east coast and notheastern part of Taiwan.

According to the administration's forecast center, the eye of the storm is
currently expected to make landfall in the Yilan-Hualien area sometime late
this evening.

The storm is currently located some 210-kilometers southeast of Yilan and is
moving in west-northwesterly direction at speeds of between 9 and
14-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm still has a radius of 250-kilometers and continues to be packing
sustained wind speeds of 162-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to
198-kilometers-an-hour.

The forecast center say as the storm is currently moving relatively slowly
it's not ruling out the possibilty that it could further slow down when it
makes landfall.

The center also says Typhoon Gaemi could veer in a more northerly, or
southerly direction when it makes landfall.

Meanwhile, the Wanan air raid drill scheduled to take place in eastern Taiwan
this afternoon has been canceled due to Typhoon Gaemi.

The air raid drill was original set to take place in Hualien and Taitung
counties, as well as in the outlying islands of Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.

However, the defense ministry says it will not be taking place to allow local
residents to focus on preparing for the typhoon - which is expected to bring
heavy rain and strong winds to the eastern part of the island.

Tomorrow's Wanan air raid drill in Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung is slated
to take place between 1:30 and 2PM as scheduled

The outer bands of Typhoon Gaeimi has begun impacting Taiwan... striking at
eastern parts of the island, north of Taichung and south of Chiayi.

The storm is currently located 210 kilometers southeast of Yilan, moving west
north west at a speed of about 14 kilometers an hour.

The Central Weather Administration says that based on its latest projections
the Gaeimi is likely to make landfall at near Yilan or Hualien later
tonight-- and its impact is expected to be at its most severe.

Meteorologist Liu Yuqi is warning that the system is moving slowly and could
swing as it approaches land..

The Central Weather Administration's land warning covers almost the entire
island, leaving only Tainan and Pingtung and outlying islands Kinmen, Penghu
and Lienchiang.

Gaemi is currently located some 400-kilometers east of Eluanbi, and is moving
in north-northwesterly direction, turning west-northwest at speeds of between
20 and 17 kilometers per hour.

The storm now has a radius of 240-kilometers and is packing winds of between
154 kilometers an hour, and gusts up to 190-km per hour.

Official announcements on possible school and work cancellations are expected
within the hour.

The Central Weather Administration has expanded its land warning for Typhoon
Gaemi as the storm is continuing to move toward waters east of Taiwan.

The land warning now covers all of northern and eastern Taiwan, as well as
Miaoli, Taichung and Nantou in central regions.

A sea warning was issued late yesterday.

Gaemi is currently located some 420-kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi and
is moving in north-northwesterly direction at speeds of 20-kilometers-an-hour
to 17 kilometers per hour.

The storm now has a radius of 220-kilometers and is packing winds of between
144 kilometers an hour, and gusts up to 190-km per hour.

Official announcements on possible school and work cancellations are expected
at 8 PM.

The Central Weather Administration has expanded its land warning for Typhoon
Gaemi as the storm is continuing to move toward waters east of Taiwan.

The land warning now covers all of northern and eastern Taiwan, as well as
Miaoli, Taichung and Nantou in central regions.

A sea warning was issued late yesterday.

Gaemi is currently located some 460-kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi and
is moving in north-northwesterly directionat speeds of 20-kilometers-an-hour
to 16 kilometers per hour.

The storm now has a radius of 200-kilometers and is packing winds of between
144 kilometers an hour, and gusts up to 180-km per hour.

The CWA is also warning of strong gusty winds for the coastal areas from
Taoyuan to Miao-li and outlying Orchid Island and Green Island.

Official announcements on possible school and work cancellations are expected
later this evening.

The Central Weather Administration has issued a land warning for Typhoon
Gaemi as the storm is continuing to move toward waters east of Taiwan.

The land warning covers currently covers New Taipei, Yilan, Hualien and
Taitung.

A sea warning was issued late yesterday.

Gaemi is currently located some 470-kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi at
the island's southernmost tip and is moving in north-northwesterly direction
at speeds of between 15 and 22-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm now has a radius of 200-kilometers and is continuing to gain in
strength.

It's now packing sustained wind speeds of 144-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts
of up to 180-kilometers-an-hour.

The typhoon is forecast to make landfall in Yilan late tomorrow evening or
early Thursday morning and pass across the nothern part of the island.

The weather administration's forecast says based in current predictions the
storm will mostly affect Taiwan from this evening until Thursday.

Areas in the west and the northeast as well as mountainous areas across the
island forecast to see heavy to torrential rain.

Gaemi is forecast to drift away from Taiwan's northern coast on Friday, but
showers and thunderstorms are still likely in the center and south.

Meanwhile,

Officials from Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan will meet later today
to discuss whether offices and schools should be closed for a typhoon day.

According to New Taipei Mayor Hou Yo-yi, the meeting is slated to take place
at 6 o'clock this evening and an announcement on whether to cancel work and
school will be made at 8PM.

The Central Emergency Operation Center has also held first meeting regarding
Typhoon Gaemi at which with Premier Chuo Rong-tai held a video conference
call with city and county officials in the north, east and the outlying
islands.

The Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning for Typhoon Gaemi as
the storm is continuing to move toward waters east of Taiwan.

Gaemi was upgraded to a typhoon Monday afternoon while hovering over waters
east of the Philippine island of Luzon.

The typhoon is forecast to make landfall in Yilan late tomorrow evening or
early Thursday morning and pass across the nothern part of the island.

Gaemi is currently located some 570-kilometers southeast of Eluanbi at the
island's southernmost tip and is moving in north-northwesterly direction at
19-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm still has a radius of 120-kilometers - but is continuing to gain in
strength.

It's now packing sustained wind speeds of 119-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts
of up to 155-kilometers-an-hour.

The weather administration says it could issue a land warning for Gaemi by
noon today or this afternoon at the earliest.

According to forecaster Guan Xin-ping, the storm will mostly affect Taiwan
from this evening until Thursday, with areas in the west and the northeast,
as well as mountainous areas across the island forecast to see heavy to
torrential rainfall.

Gaemi is forecast to move away from Taiwan's northern coast on Friday, but
showers and thunderstorms are still likely in the center and south.