Tropical storm rages over Taiwan

Tropical storm Nari churned over northern Taiwan today, triggering mudslides and flash floods that killed 13 people and blacked out more than 820,000 homes.

At least five people were missing and 18 were injured as sheets of rain flooded homes and drenched unstable mountain slopes around the capital, Taipei, emergency officials said.

Forecasters said the downpour was the heaviest in more than 10 years.

Television reports showed rivers of muddy water rushing down mountainsides in the port city of Keelung, coating streets with a thick layer of yellowish mud.

On some Taipei streets, only the tops of cars could be seen.