Taiwan has been hit by a severe Tropical Storm, named Trami, prompting mass closures of schools and businesses as winds of more than 100 km/h struck the northern part of the country.

The storm is expected to head westward into Fujian, the Chinese province closest to Taiwan, while rain is falling heavily across many moutnainous areas.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from parts of Alishan, near the country’s geographical centre, and mountain roads have been closed in remote counties.

Check out the images below, coming from Taiwan, and courtesy of the NZ Herald.