Beijing(news pulse) Typhoon Lekima hit China and at least 18 people have been killed and more than a million forced from their homes .
Fourteen people were also missing after a landslide was triggered by the storm, state media reported.
Lekima made landfall in the early hours of Saturday in Wenling, between Taiwan and China’s financial capital Shanghai.
The storm was initially designated a “super typhoon”, but weakened slightly before landfall – when it still had winds of 187km/h (116mph).
The fatal landslide happened in Wenzhou, near where the storm made landfall, state media said. It occurred after a barrier lake – or natural dam – formed, pooling water from the heavy rains before collapsing.
Lekima is now slowly winding its way north through the Zhejiang province, and is expected to hit Shanghai, which has a population of more than 20 million.
Emergency crews have battled to save stranded motorists from floods. Fallen trees and power cuts are widespread.
Authorities have cancelled more than 1,000 flights and cancelled train services as the city prepares for the storm.
It is expected to weaken further by the time it reaches Shanghai, but will still bring a high risk of dangerous flooding.
