Super Typhoon Usagi hits China; 25 killed

Typhoon Usagi killed at least 25 people after crashing ashore in southern China, throwing the region's transport systems into chaos and leaving tens of thousands of airline passengers stranded in Hong Kong yesterday.
Meanwhile, monsoon rains worsened by Typhoon Usagi pounded the Philippines for the third day yesterday, causing floods and landslides that left 18 people dead and others stranded on rooftops, officials said.
Schools and businesses were shut as activity in the normally teeming financial hub slowed to a crawl after Usagi -- the world's most powerful storm this year -- battered a long swathe of coastline with torrential rain and winds of up to 165 kilometres  per hour during the night.
The reports by Xinhua news agency did not say how the 25 were killed but said all the deaths were in Guangdong after the typhoon brought down trees and damaged roads. Dozens more were injured in accidents, it added.
Bullet trains from Guangzhou city to Beijing were suspended and Xinhua said winds were strong enough near Shanwei to blow cars off the road. More than 47,000 fishing boats were in harbour and schools were closed in 14 coastal cities.
China's civil affairs ministry said 226,000 people were relocated due to the storm and more than 7,100 houses collapsed or were badly damaged.