China evacutates 256,000 in new storm threat

China ordered ships to take shelter, cancelled flights and evacuated 256,000 people as tropical storm Bilis churned toward its southern coast today.

Bilis weakened from a typhoon into a tropical storm early today after lashing Taiwan. It was forecast to hit the coast of Fujian province later in the day and gradually loose strength as it heads inland.

Fujian’s observatory forecast moderate to torrential rains in coastal and inland areas of the province over the weekend, warning of possible flash floods, landslides and flooding, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.