One dead, three missing as Storm Melor sweeps across Taiwan

TAIPEI (AFP) Nov 03, 2003
Storm Melor has left one person dead and three people have gone missing as it swept across the southern part of Taiwan with gusts of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour, officials said Monday.

A woman in southern Taiwan's Pintung town drowned after being trapped in the flooded basement of her workplace Sunday evening, according to the National Fire Agency which coordinates rescue work.

Meanwhile, three people were reported missing in Taitung, also in southern Taiwan, the agency said, adding that a search was underway.

Air and rail services were cancelled and schools remained shut in many parts of southern Taiwan Monday.

Hundreds of fishing boats sought shelter in harbours as the Central Weather Bureau issued a warning against torrential rains and strong winds.

Storm Melor is expected to hit eastern Taiwan including Hualien and Ilan counties later on Monday, said the bureau.

With a radius of 150 kilometers (90 miles), the storm was moving north at a speed of 10 kilometers (6.0 miles) per hour.

At 9:00 am (0100 GMT), the center of storm Melor was 90 kilometersmiles) east of Taitung.

TERRA.WIRE