Typhoon gaining strength as it heads towards Taiwan

A satellite image released by Nasa showing Typhoon Chanthu (Nasa Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System/via AP)

A strong typhoon has skirted past most of the Philippines but appears to be gaining strength and heading directly for Taiwan this weekend, forecasters said.

Typhoon Chanthu still has the potential on its current course to hit the extreme north-eastern portion of Cagayan province in the Philippines with sustained winds of 121 miles per hour and gusts of up to 149mph before moving onward towards Taiwan, the country’s meteorological agency said.