Thousands evacuated as typhoon hits Japan, Taiwan

A powerful typhoon hit Taiwan and southwestern Japanese islands on Monday, leaving thousands of families without electricity and water supply, local media reported.
Typhoon Dujuan pounded the Japanese islands after hundreds had evacuated their homes, the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper reported.
As of 18:00 (09:00 GMT), the eye of the storm was about 90km west of Yonaguni island, travelling west-northwest, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The season's 21st typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 180km/h and gusts of 252km/h, the agency said.
The storm approached Taiwan late on Monday. Rial services and some flights were cancelled, the state-run Central News Agency said.
Taiwan Power Company said the storm had cut power supply in some areas. More than 600 000 families were left without electricity.
In the capital Taipei, at least 20 000 families were left without tap water due to the increased turbidity in rivers of northern Taiwan.
 On Monday, 4 500 residents of 39 townships in eastern, northern and central Taiwan were evacuated, authorities said.

The Central Weather Bureau warned of flooding in coastal and low-lying areas.

Authorities said the typhoon would head toward mainland China on Tuesday.