Typhoon makes landfall in Taiwan; storm signals still up in Batanes

The typhoon with international code-name Nepartak (Butchoy in the Philippines) made landfall in southern Taiwan Friday morning, a television report said.

GMA News' resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz said on News To Go that while Nepartak made landfall in Taiwan, Tropical Cyclone Signals are still up in parts of Batanes in extreme northern Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Butchoy was about to make landfall in Taiwan.

Earlier, Taiwan was reported preparing for the typhoon's  expected onslaught in the southern part of the terrritory.

Soldiers were piling up sandbags early on in flood-prone areas, the report said.

Earlier, Unang Balita reported the typhoon was forecast to make landfall after it plodded past the eastern part of extreme northern Luzon. — LBG, GMA News