Thousands evacuated as storm approaches China
Posted: 18 July 2008 2006 hrs

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	Related News • Seven dead, six missing as Tropical Storm Kalmaegi pounds Taiwan • One dead, eight missing as tropical storm pounds Taiwan

BEIJING - China evacuated 360,000 people and called 61,000 fishing boats back to shore as it braced for Tropical Storm Kalmaegi, which killed at least six people in Taiwan, state media reported Friday.

The eastern provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang were expected to be hit late Friday, the official Xinhua news agency said, quoting provincial flood control authorities.

Kalmaegi, which had been a typhoon, had weakened to a severe tropical storm, Xinhua said, but was still packing winds of up to 90 kilometres (55 miles) an hour.

The seventh severe storm this year, Kalmaegi is also expected to affect Shanghai on Friday and Saturday, according to Xinhua. - AFP/vm