Taiwan issues warning as Typhoon Kong-rey nears

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's meteorological agency issued a land warning early Wednesday morning as Typhoon Kong-rey approached the island, following a sea warning on Tuesday afternoon.

The agency said the typhoon is likely to land on the island on Thursday afternoon.

As of 9 am Wednesday, Kong-rey was centered about 480 km southeast of the island's southernmost point, moving northwestward at about 15 to 20 kph, according to the agency. The maximum wind speed near its center reached 184 kph.

The land warning includes Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung and the Hengchun Peninsula in southern and eastern Taiwan.

The meteorological agency predicted intensifying rainfall in the island's northern and eastern parts Wednesday, while from Thursday to Friday, there will be significant rainfall across the island.