A sense of anxiety and fear gripped the people in Taiwan after authorities declared a state of high alert for Typhoon Haikui, and
domestic flights were canceled and nearly 3,000 people were evacuated while Taiwan prepares for the arrival of Typhoon Haikui today, Sunday, which is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the south and east of the island.

The typhoon "Haikui" is expected to make landfall in the sparsely populated mountainous area in the far southeast of Taiwan late this afternoon, and provinces and cities in the east and south have canceled classes and declared today a holiday from work.

Haikui is a storm much weaker than Typhoon Saola, which struck Hong Kong and Guangdong Province in southern China yesterday, Saturday. Haikui is expected to be just a Category 1 or 2 typhoon when it hits Taiwan, according to Tropical Storm Risk.

The Taiwanese government stated that 2,868 people have already been evacuated from residential areas mainly located in the south and east, according to Reuters.

The two main local airlines in Taiwan, Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines, canceled all flights today, Sunday, and ferry services to surrounding islands were also canceled.

Disruption was less for international flights, as the Civil Aviation Administration stated that only 37 flights were canceled today, Sunday.

The military deployed troops and equipment to assist in flood relief and evacuation efforts.

After passing through southern Taiwan, Haikui is expected to cross the Taiwan Strait into China.