Taiwan battens down for Typhoon Talim, mainland China braces for twin storms

Sandbags are prepared ahead of Typhoon Talim in a landmark building Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan September 13, 2017. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

TAIPEI/BEIJING (Reuters) - Taiwan issued a warning to ships and airlines cancelled some flights on Wednesday as the island braced for Typhoon Talim, which was expected to hit cities including the capital Taipei, before hurtling towards China potentially as a super typhoon.

Talim was expected to gain in strength as it sweeps towards Taiwan's northern cities, lashing them with strong wind and heavy rain, the Central Weather Bureau said.