Taiwan braced for super typhoon

Rescuers prepare a dinghy for the storm

Taiwan is bracing for the onslaught of a massive typhoon bigger than the island itself.

The storm is expected to bring torrential rain and winds gusting to more than 260kph.

Bilis is set to hit Taiwan late on Tuesday, cutting across the island's south near Taitung.

A construction worker has already been killed in a mudslide triggered by heavy rains ahead of Typhoon Bilis.

Bilis is wider than Taiwan is long

And a doctor is missing after vanishing on Sunday while hiking in a gorge with friends.

The storm, classed as a "super typhoon", is the strongest in East Asia this year.

Bilis is 600km in diameter - 200km greater than the length of Taiwan. No part of the island is expected to escape unscathed.

Taiwan issued land and sea alerts ahead of the storm on Monday.

The Central Weather Bureau has warned of landslides and floods in low-lying areas.

Forecasters say the huge winds will whip up waves up to nine metres, overturn vehicles and uproot trees.

Children have been sent home from school and many people have left work early to buy food, batteries and other supplies, and to cover their windows.

The money market will close for two days and airline flights have been suspended.

The authorities have even relaxed a law which bans fisherman from the Chinese mainland coming ashore.

Reports say about 1,000 have been allowed to take shelter on the island - usually they are required to remain aboard ships moored in port during heavy weather.

Quake

Taiwan's cabinet has set up an emergency centre in the capital Taipei, which is manned by the police, fire services and military.

Rescue centres have also been reinforced in Nantou county, where thousands are still living in temporary homes following last year's massive earthquake.

Forecasters expect Bilis to head for south-east China, landing late Wednesday or early Thursday.