Taipei, Sep 28 (IANS): Super typhoon Dujuan made landfall on Monday in Taiwan's Yilan county, bringing the second-strongest storm in 34 years to the county's Su'ao township.

As of Monday evening, the typhoon was centred at 20 km northwest of Hualien county and moving west-northwest at a speed of 21 km per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 184 km per hour, with winds reaching 227 km per hour, Xinhua news agency reported.

Some 5,000 people living in mountainous areas across the island have been evacuated in anticipation of possible landslides and floods.

Taiwan's high speed railway service, which serves the western part of the island, was suspended at 3.00 p.m. due to strong winds and heavy rain.

Conventional railway services along the eastern Taiwan corridor have also been suspended, stranding tens of thousands at stations.

Coastal highways through the counties of Yilan and Hualien have been fully closed.

A total of 72 flights were delayed and 221 flights cancelled, according to Taiwan's aviation management agency. More flight cancellations are expected.

Almost all cities and counties across the island including Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Taichung have announced to continue the school and office closures through Tuesday morning until the typhoon moves away from the island.