Taiwan shut down on Wednesday with hundreds of flights cancelled and offices, schools and financial markets closed ahead of the arrival of a weakening Typhoon Krathon, which is forecast to bring storm surges along the coast and torrential rain.

Typhoon Krathon is expected to hit the major port city of Kaohsiung in the island's southwest early this afternoon then move across the center of Taiwan and northeast toward the East China Sea, according to the Central Weather Administration. It is expected to be felt in the capital, Taipei, today and Thursday.

The storm has already injured 46 people and forced thousands of evacuations, the authorities said, warning that torrential rain could cause landslides and flooding.