KAOHSIUNG: Taiwan shut down schools, offices and financial markets today as Typhoon Krathon pounded its south and east with torrential rains and winds ahead of its expected landfall.

Packing sustained wind speeds of 173 kph and gusts of up to 209 kph, it was 130km southwest of Kaohsiung up to 12pm, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

The typhoon, downgraded overnight to medium from strong, is expected to arrive near Kaohsiung or Tainan this morning, the agency said — a day later than previously forecast.

"This typhoon is moving very slowly. The time of its landfall continues to be delayed. The latest forecast is that its centre will make landfall at 10am tomorrow," said CWA chief Cheng Chia-ping.

The Interior Ministry said more than 10,000 people had been evacuated from vulnerable areas.

Premier Cho Jung-tai urged the public to stay at home during the typhoon.

All domestic flights and ferry services were cancelled today, and around 250 international flights were suspended.

Nearly 40,000 troops were on standby for relief efforts, the Defence Ministry said.

Across Taiwan, 46 typhoon-related injuries had been reported up to today, and one person in western Yunlin county was reported missing after falling into the sea, authorities said.

In Kaohsiung, the streets were nearly empty and trees were bending as heavy rain and strong winds lashed the port city.

Its airport was almost deserted, with staff putting up metal bars to brace the entrance gates as a handful of tourists tried to reschedule their flights.

"We came to the airport counter but it's not in service... We have to stay at least two or three days longer," Malaysian tourist Chan Ka-woh said after his flight home was cancelled.

Powerful waves pounded Kaohsiung's coast, with seawater spilling onto the road near the scenic Sizihwan Bay.

Authorities distributed sandbags and cleared storm drains to avoid a repeat of the widespread flooding seen during Typhoon Gaemi in July.

Gaemi was the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan in eight years, leaving at least 10 people dead and hundreds injured.

Taiwan is accustomed to frequent tropical storms from July to October, but experts say climate change has increased their intensity, leading to heavy rains, flash floods and strong gusts.

Krathon is approaching Taiwan after earlier slamming into a remote group of Philippine islands. 

 - AFP