Taiwan, mainland east coast provinces batten down as Super Typhoon Chan-hom approaches

China is on the highest alert as Super Typhoon Chan-hom approaches the eastern coast with winds approaching 190km/h, state media reported.

The National Meteorological Centre issued a red alert, the highest, on Friday morning for Chan-Hom.

Across the Taiwan Strait, authorities were making last-minute preparations as the typhoon’s rain bands were expected to cross the island’s north in the afternoon, the Central News Agency said.

At 11am, Chan-hom was centred 380km east-northeast of Taipei, moving northwest at 18km/h.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau warned residents in northeastern districts to brace for extremely heavy rain for most of the day. Schools and offices in northern Taiwan have been closed.