Typhoon hits Taiwan

By Faith Hung and Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Typhoon Krosa slammed into Taiwan on Saturday, with strong winds and heavy rains cutting power and cancelling flights while mainland China braced for what it called a serious impact.

Authorities in China ordered the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian to call more than 27,000 fishing boats back to safe harbors, Xinhua said.

In Taiwan, disaster authorities said the storm shut down schools and businesses in the north of the country.

"The wind is tremendous here, and we've lost power," said Chuang Min-hsiang, of Taitung. "We're all at home doing work to protect ourselves from the typhoon."

Three people were hurt, the National Fire Agency said.

A service staff member at Taipei's Kaohsiung airport said more than 10 international flights were cancelled on Saturday.

EVA Airways, Taiwan's No. 2 international carrier, cancelled most of its afternoon flights, according to TV reports.

Northern Taiwan's main port in Keelung was closed at 6 a.m.