BEIJING, Oct 21 — The world’s strongest storm of the year is bearing down on Taiwan and eastern China, prompting evacuation preparations, ferry suspensions and coastal shutdowns as authorities brace for destructive winds and torrential rain.

Super Typhoon Champi, packing winds of up to 245km/h, was moving towards waters east of Taiwan today, threatening widespread disruption across China’s southeastern coastline even as uncertainty remained over its eventual path.

Authorities in Zhejiang province have begun preparing to evacuate vulnerable residents, including elderly people, pregnant women and those with disabilities, while suspending 36 passenger ferry routes and halting work on 223 marine construction projects, South China Morning Post reported.