Typhoon Mangkhut devastates southern coast of China

[Meatpie]

Typhoon Mangkhut has battered the heavily populated Guangdong region with 100mph winds, after skirting 62 miles from Hong Kong. It smashed windows in the city and tore off parts of buildings and roofs, while hotels and restaurants were hit by flash floods. More than 100 people were reported to have been injured. In Guangdong, nearly half a million people have been evacuated from seven cities.

Schools have closed until Tuesday, the high-speed rail line has been suspended and hundreds of flights have been cancelled, according to China’s state news agency, Xinhua.

In the southern province of Fujian, officials have ordered thousands of fishing boats to return to harbour and closed construction sites near the coast.