Typhoon slams Taiwan, China, Japan

A soldier smells the ground while looking for the bodies of flood victims in the mudslide-affected village of Sinkai, following Typhoon Morakot in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan August 17, 2009. REUTERS/Stringer (TAIWAN DISASTER ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY) TAIWAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN TAIWAN

The aerial handout photo taken and provided by Taiwan's Military News Agency on August 17, 2009 shows a farm severely damaged by a massive amount of landslides on a mountain of Alishan, a scenic township in the southern Chiayi county. Soldiers searched typhoon-devastated areas for survivors and bodies as more than 1,600 people waited to be airlifted to safety nine days after Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / HO / MILITARY NEWS AGENCY (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

Stranded villagers make their way across a makeshift bamboo bridge over raging floodwater in Hsinfa village, in the Luikuei township of southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung county on August 15, 2009. A few days after the catastrophe created by Typhoon Morakot, survivors stranded in the village sent a chilling message to the world by erecting a yellow banner with the words \"32 deaths S.O.S.\" written in red ink at the entrance of the village. The official death toll rose to 123 but Ma has warned that number could jump to 500, with hundreds feared buried beneath the rubble in the village of Hsiaolin alone. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

Taiwanese people carry supply goods for victims to the the flooded village of Maolin, southern Taiwan, following Typhoon Morakot, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. The storm destroyed the homes of 7,000 people and caused agricultural and property damage in excess of 50 billion New Taiwan dollars ($1.5 billion), according to government estimates. (AP Photo) ** TAIWAN OUT **

epa01823493 Local residents survey the results of a mudslide, including a half submerged home near the flooded river in Pingtung County, in the typhoon devastated area of southern Taiwan. 14 August, 2009. The number of people killed in mudslides and floods could exceed 500, almost 400 of lthem in a single village, according to the Taiwan president. EPA/Ferre Huang

A relative holds the hand of a survivor from the landslide-affected villages at Chishan evacuation centre, southern Taiwan August 14, 2009, following Typhoon Morakot which swept through Kaohsiung County. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

Relatives continue to wait with hopes of rescued family members to emerge from helicopters at an emergency landing zone in Cishan, southern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009. Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou declared Friday that at least 500 people were killed when Typhoon Morakot struck the island causing massive flooding and landslides. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

This image shows a extensive mountain area of mudslide in Kaohsiung county following Typhoon Morakot, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Kaohsiung County, Southern Taiwan. Some 14,000 villagers have been rescued _ including 600 on Thursday _ since Typhoon Morakot dumped more than 80 inches (2 meters) of rain this past weekend, the island's disaster relief center said. The storm unleashed the worst floods the island has seen in 50 years.(AP Photo/Pool)

Taiwanese soldiers march on their way to Liukuei, Kaohsiung county, Taiwan, Thursday, August 13, 2009. About 300 people are estimated to have been killed by a massive landslide that wiped out much of a village in southern Taiwan, a government official said on Friday (August 14, 2009). The official death toll from a typhoon that hit Taiwan last weekend stands at 116. The worst floods in decades washed out roads, snapped bridges and sent low-rise buildings crashing into rivers, according to the latest statement by the disaster agency.

Victims gathered in a helicopter after they evacuate flooded village Baolai following Typhoon Morakot, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Kaohsiung County, Southern Taiwan. Some 14,000 villagers have been rescued _ including 600 on Thursday _ since Typhoon Morakot dumped more than 80 inches (2 meters) of rain this past weekend, the island's disaster relief center said. The storm unleashed the worst floods the island has seen in 50 years.(AP Photo/Pool)

This image shows a extensive river area of mudslide in Chishan following Typhoon Morakot, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Kaohsiung County, Southern Taiwan. Some 14,000 villagers have been rescued _ including 600 on Thursday _ since Typhoon Morakot dumped more than 80 inches (2 meters) of rain this past weekend, the island's disaster relief center said. The storm unleashed the worst floods the island has seen in 50 years.(AP Photo/Pool)

This handout photo released by the Taiwan Military News Agency on August 13, 2009 shows members of the military trying to help locals cut off from Typhoon Morakot after they landed by helicopter in Chiayi County, central Taiwan. Taiwan on August 13 deployed thousands of extra troops as it faced growing public anger and pressure to rescue people trapped by deadly landslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot. The military said 4,000 more soldiers were added to the rescue effort, bringing the total to 34,000, as the death toll from the island's worst floods in half a century rose to 108 with fears it may rise dramatically. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / HO / Taiwan Military News Agency (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

A man walks along the bank of a river filled with wood and debris washed down by Typhoon Morakot in Chishen, Kaohsiung county, southern Taiwan, on August 12, 2009. Taiwan began airlifting to safety more than 700 people found alive in a trio of villages flattened by muddy landslides, as the island's death toll from Typhoon Morakot hit 66. AFP PHOTO/Sam YEH (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

epa01821613 Taiwan Red Cross members escort rescued residents who were trapped following Typhoon Morakot, to receive medical care in Cishan, Taiwan, 12 August 2009. Taiwan soldiers on 12 August found 70 more survivors from a village buried by a mudslide, bringing to 1,000 the number of people found alive in mountain region affected by landslides in the southern county of Kaohsiung. \"We found 70 more survivors at Wulipu south of Hsiaolin village earlier,\" Major General Hu Jui-chou said. \"So far we have found close to 1,000 survivors in the landslide-affected areas,\" EPA/Ferre Huang

A body found in the debris and floodwaters of Typhoon Morakot is recovered in Cishan, Taiwan, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. Police said Wednesday that there is no way to know for sure how many people remain buried in the catastrophic mudslide that struck a remote mountain village in Taiwan over the weekend when the typhoon lashed the region. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

Damage and debris is seen on a bridge as flood waters from Typhoon Morakot recede in Cishan, Taiwan, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. Police said Wednesday that there is no way to know for sure how many people remain buried in the catastrophic mudslide that struck a remote mountain village in Taiwan over the weekend when a typhoon lashed the region. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

A rescuer glides on a rope across a river in the flooded village of Liugui following Typhoon Morakot, in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan August 12, 2009. The Chinese characters read, \"32 People dead.\" REUTERS/Stringer (TAIWAN DISASTER ENVIRONMENT) TAIWAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN TAIWAN

A farmer keeps ducks in the submerged kitchen in the flooded Pingyao town in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province, 11 August 2009. China says over 11 million people are affected by the disasters brought by Typhoon Morakot with at least eight deaths up now.

A statue of Buddha's head is seen submerged in flood water and debris from Typhoon Morakot at a temple in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009. Rescue officials have said more than 300 people were ferried from disaster areas on more than 100 emergency flights. (AP Photo) Taiwan Out

Damaged buildings are seen after Typhoon Morakot swept Kaohsiung county, southern Taiwan August 11, 2009. Helicopters dropped rescuers into a village in southern Taiwan on Tuesday to search for victims of a mudslide that may have buried up to 600 people after the typhoon hit the island, officials said. REUTERS/Stringer (TAIWAN DISASTER ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY) TAIWAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN TAIWAN

Residents look at the debris after a massive landslide triggered by torrential rain from Typhoon Morakot toppled seven houses in Taishun, eastern China's Zhejiang province on August 11, 2009. Morakot hit mainland China after leaving 38 people dead in Taiwan, where it caused the worst flooding in 50 years. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

A woman wipes off tears while waiting for her family members be found in a temporary shelter in Neiman, Kaohsiung county, southern Taiwan August 11, 2009. About 600 people are uncontactable and may be buried under a mudslide in a mountainous village of southern Taiwan following torrential rainfall over the weekend from the typhoon, disaster officials said. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

A handout photo from Taiwan Military News Agency and released on August 11, 2009 shows military troop crossing a river to search for survivors in Shiaolin, Tainan county, southern Taiwan, on August 11, 2009 following floods caused by Typhoon Morakot. The typhoon pummelling East Asia has killed at least 61 people, with rescuers in Taiwan battling to find survivors of a mudslide that may have buried about 100 villagers, officials said. AFP PHOTO / HO / Taiwan Military News Agency / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read HO/AFP/Getty Images)

A man walks on a damaged road after Typhoon Morakot swept Tainan county, in southern Taiwan August 11, 2009. Helicopters dropped rescuers into a village in southern Taiwan on Tuesday to search for victims of a mudslide that may have buried up to 600 people after the typhoon hit the island, officials said. REUTERS/Stringer (TAIWAN DISASTER ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

SAYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 10: (JAPANESE NEWSPAPERS OUT) A catfish is stranded on the road after Typhoon Etau on August 10, 2009 in Sayo, Hyogo, Japan. At least thirteen people were killed and eighteen are still missing following floods and landslides after Typhoon Etau hit Western Japan. (Photo by Sankei/Getty Images)

Soldiers transfer residents trapped by floods after heavy rains caused by Typhoon Morakot as well as send aid supplies by armored cars in Taichung, Taiwan, Monday, August 10, 2009. The toll from the already deadly Typhoon Morakot in the Pacific threatened to soar on Tuesday (August 11, 2009), as huge mudslides buried a rural village in south-central Taiwan and seven apartment buildings in coastal China, leaving two dead and hundreds of people unaccounted for. The Taiwan mudslide, triggered early Sunday by as much as eight feet of typhoon-spawned rain, apparently buried 400 to 500 people in the village of Hsiao-lin, a Taiwan official said. However, torrential rains washed out bridges and roads leading to the area, and the figure could not be quickly verified.

090810) -- WENLING, Aug. 10, 2009 -- Border guards stack piles of sandbags to reinforce the bank of a dock near Wanda Oil Depot in Xiaoruo Village in Shitang Townshiop of Wenling City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 10, 2009. Border guards succeeded in reinforcing a dam near Wanda oil depot, which is going to collapse owing to Typhoon Morakot, on Aug. 10.Jia Ce) (ly) (Credit Image: © Xinhua/ZUMA Press)

Residents make their way across a flooded street on a makeshift raft after typhoon Morakot hit Cangnan county of Wenzhou, Zhejiang province August 10, 2009. Typhoon Morakot battered China's commercial east coast on Sunday, killing a child and flattening houses. Half a million people in coastal Fujian province were moved to safer parts ahead of the typhoon's arrival, along with a similar number in neighbouring Zhejiang, Xinhua reported. REUTERS/Lang Lang (CHINA ENVIRONMENT DISASTER SOCIETY)

090810) -- CANGNAN, Aug. 10, 2009 -- The county seat of Cangnan is flooded on Aug. 10, 2009 in east China's Zhejiang Province. Rainfall brought by typhoon ''Morakot'', the 8th this year, has flooded the county seat of Cangnan. (ly) (Credit Image: © Xinhua/ZUMA Press)

Medical personnel evacuate children by a military helicopter from a landslide affected village after Typhoon Morakot swept Taiwan in Kaohsiung county, southern Taiwan August 10, 2009. Typhoon Morakot killed an estimated 14 people with another 51 missing, according to local media. REUTERS/Stringer (TAIWAN ENVIRONMENT DISASTER) TAIWAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN TAIWAN

MIMASAKA, JAPAN - AUGUST 10: (JAPANESE NEWSPAPERS OUT) In this aerial photo, houses are collapsed by the landslides August 10, 2009 in Mimisaka, Japan. At least thirteen people were killed by the flood and landslides as a typhoon triggers heavy rain in western Japan. (Photo by Sankei/Getty Images)

A motorist with her head covered struggles to ride a scooter amidst strong winds brought about by typhoon Morakot in Nanjing, Jiangsu province August 10, 2009. Typhoon Morakot battered China's commercial east coast on Sunday, killing a child and flattening houses. Half a million people in coastal Fujian province were moved to safer parts ahead of the typhoon's arrival, along with a similar number in neighbouring Zhejiang, Xinhua reported. REUTERS/Jeff Xu (CHINA ENVIRONMENT DISASTER SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A man walks by a light truck turned over on its side in a street following a nearby river floods caused by a torrential rain in Sayo, western Japan, Monday, Aug. 10, 2009. Typhoon Etau slams into Japan causing floods and landslides. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) ** JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT, FOR COMMERCIAL USE ONLY IN NORTH AMERICA **

An aerial picture shows the floods after Typhoon Morakot hit Pingtung county, southern Taiwan August 10, 2009. Typhoon Morakot killed an estimated 14 people with another 51 missing, according to local media. REUTERS/Pingtung Government/Handout (TAIWAN ENVIRONMENT DISASTER) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

People row a dragon boat to commute through a flooded area in Cangnan county, in east China's Zhejiang province, Monday Aug. 10, 2009. Typhoon Morakot pummeled China's eastern coast, toppling houses, flooding villages and forcing nearly a million people to flee to safety before weakening into a tropical storm Monday. (AP Photo) ** CHINA OUT **

A woman (C) receives assistance as she disembarks from a helicopter at a high school in Chishan, in Taiwan's Kaohsiung county on August 10, 2009 after being airlifted from the southern village of Hsiaolin. At least 14 people were confirmed dead and 51 others were missing in Taiwan after Typhoon Morakot caused the island's worst flooding in half a century, the rescue services said. TAIWAN OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

A man trapped by floods gestures at rescuers delivering food and drinking water after Typhoon Morakot hit Pingtung county, southern Taiwan August 9, 2009. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN ENVIRONMENT DISASTER)

A collapsed hotel building is seen in heavily flooded river after Typhoon Morakot hit Taitung county, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, in Taitung County, eastern Taiwan. The six-story hotel collapsed and plunged into a river Sunday morning after floodwaters eroded its base, but all 300 people in the hotel were evacuated and uninjured, officials said. (AP Photo) ** TAIWAN OUT **

Water flows past a damaged bridge previously linking Pingtung and Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan on August 9, 2009. Taiwan's government mobilised troops to rescue tens of thousands of residents trapped in the island's worst flooding in 50 years, officials said as Typhoon Morakot pounded Taiwan over the weekend with powerful winds and torrential rain. AFP PHOTO/Sam YEH (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Chinese villagers try to salvage fish along ponds submerged by flood after heavy rain caused by Typhoon Morakot in Hongshan village, Yacheng town, Xiapu county, Ningde city, southeast Chinas Fujian province, Sunday, 9 August 2009. At least one person was killed Sunday (9 August 2009) as Typhoon Morakot slammed into eastern China, packing high winds and torrential rain. Nearly a million people had been evacuated from Fujian and Zhejiang provinces as Morakot approached. The storm made landfall in the coastal area of Beibi Town, Xiapu County in Fujian province at about 4:20 p.m. Sunday, according to Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency. Morakots winds were clocked at 118 kilometers per hour in its eye, according to the provinces meteorological bureau as cited by Xinhua.

An elderly woman rests in a temporary evacuation centre in Chiatung, in southern Taiwan's Pingtung county on August 9, 2009. Taiwan's government has mobilised troops to rescue tens of thousands of residents trapped in the island's worst flooding in 50 years, which left one person dead and at least 29 missing, officials said. Typhoon Morakot pounded Taiwan over the weekend with powerful winds and torrential rain. The number of people listed as missing and feared dead went up from eight to 29, the government's National Fire Agency said. AFP PHOTO/Patrick LIN (Photo credit should read PATRICK LIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Soldiers evacuate a stranded resident to a safe area as Typhoon Morakot hits Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province August 9, 2009. Typhoon Morakot battered China's commercial east coast on Sunday, killing a child and flattening houses. Half a million people in coastal Fujian province were moved to safer parts ahead of the typhoon's arrival, along with a similar number in neighbouring Zhejiang, Xinhua reported. Picture taken August 9, 2009. REUTERS/China Daily (CHINA ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY MILITARY) CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA

A man holds a baby as a family is rescued from flooding brought by Typhoon Morakot in Chiatung, Pingtung county, in southern Taiwan, on August 9, 2009. One person was killed and eight were missing and feared dead in Taiwan as Typhoon Morakot lashed the island with powerful winds and downpours, rescuers said on August 8. AFP PHOTO / Sam YEH (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Rescuers try to get hold of a man who is stranded by floods as Typhoon Morakot approaches in Shanghai August 9, 2009. A child was killed and houses were flattened after Typhoon Morakot battered China's eastern coast on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and high waves likely to disrupt life and business across the heavily commercial region. REUTERS/Stringer (CHINA ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY DISASTER) CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA

Local residents are helped by the rescuers after they were trapped by floods brought on by Typhoon Morakot to Chiatung, Pingtung county, in southern Taiwan, on August 9, 2009. One person was killed and eight were missing and feared dead in Taiwan as Typhoon Morakot lashed the island with powerful winds and downpours, rescuers said on August 8. AFP PHOTO / Sam YEH (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

A man walks on sandbags piled to block rising waters from a river in a flooded village in Cangnan county, eastern China Sunday Aug. 9, 2009. Typhoon Morakot slammed into China's east coast Sunday just hours after nearly 1 million people evacuated the area. It earlier lashed Taiwan with torrential rains that caused the island's worst flooding in 50 years and left dozens missing and feared dead. (AP Photo) ** CHINA OUT **

A Taiwanese woman looks at flood water from her half submerged home after Typhoon Morakot hit Pintung county, southern Taiwan, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. The storm dumped more than 200 centimeters (80 inches) of rain on some southern counties on Friday and Saturday, the worst flooding to hit the area in half a century, the Central Weather Bureau reported. (AP Photo) ** TAIWAN OUT **

A Chinese villager looks at soldiers repairing a section of the seawall damaged by big waves caused by Typhoon Morakot in Fuxing village, Tantou town, Changle city, southeast Chinas Fujian province, Saturday, 8 August 2009. At least one person was killed Sunday (9 August 2009) as Typhoon Morakot slammed into eastern China, packing high winds and torrential rain. Nearly a million people had been evacuated from Fujian and Zhejiang provinces as Morakot approached. The storm made landfall in the coastal area of Beibi Town, Xiapu County in Fujian province at about 4:20 p.m. Sunday, according to Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency. Morakots winds were clocked at 118 kilometers per hour in its eye, according to the provinces meteorological bureau as cited by Xinhua.

A young Chinese woman close to the West Lake tries to hold her umbrella in big wind caused by Typhoon Morakot in Hangzhou city, east Chinas Zhejiang province, Friday, 7 August 2009. At least one person was killed Sunday (9 August 2009) as Typhoon Morakot slammed into eastern China, packing high winds and torrential rain. Nearly a million people had been evacuated from Fujian and Zhejiang provinces as Morakot approached. The storm made landfall in the coastal area of Beibi Town, Xiapu County in Fujian province at about 4:20 p.m. Sunday, according to Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency. Morakots winds were clocked at 118 kilometers per hour in its eye, according to the provinces meteorological bureau as cited by Xinhua.

Soldiers and survivors unload provisions for victims in the flooded village Baolai following Typhoon Morakot, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Kaohsiung County, Southern Taiwan. Some 14,000 villagers have been rescued _ including 600 on Thursday _ since Typhoon Morakot dumped more than 80 inches (2 meters) of rain this past weekend, the island's disaster relief center said. The storm unleashed the worst floods the island has seen in 50 years.(AP Photo/Pool)