Only in the Chinese metropolis and technology hub Shenzhen have 400,000 people been evacuated, according to the authorities. In northern Philippines, the figure is over 10,000. The island nation's weather agency states that there is a high risk that the typhoon is "life-threatening".
Domestic flights in the northern parts of the Philippines have been cancelled, and both fishing boats and ferries are to remain in the ports. In the capital Manila and in 29 of the country's 82 provinces, schools and authorities have closed as extensive rainfall is expected.
The typhoon is the fourteenth storm to hit the Philippines this year while a corruption scandal is being investigated regarding bribes that have resulted in inadequate or non-existent projects to handle flooding. The scandal has led to extensive demonstrations.
Also in Taiwan, north of the Philippines, smaller evacuations have been carried out. There, the weather agency expects "extremely heavy rain".
Similarly, in Hong Kong, the international airport is considering closing for 36 hours due to the typhoon, where an airline has already cancelled 500 flights.
