Taipei, Oct. 16 (CNA) Storm Haima, which was upgraded to a typhoon on Sunday afternoon, could begin to impact weather in Taiwan on Oct. 20, bringing strong winds and rain to eastern, southern and mountainous areas in northern parts of the country, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said.

As of 2 p.m. on Sunday, Haima was about 2,370 kilometers south-southeast of Taiwan's southernmost tip, moving at a speed of 17 kilometers per hour in a northwesterly direction, CWB data showed.

With a radius of 150 kilometers, The storm was carrying maximum sustained winds of 119 kph, with gusts of up to 155 kph, according to the CWB.

Haima could be at its closest to Taiwan between Oct. 20-21 as it passes through the Bashi Channel, forecasters said.

As Haima continues to strengthen, the bureau said it is likely to issue a sea warning as it nears Taiwan.

(By Chen Wei-ting and Lee Hsin-Yin)
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