Work to restore power to more than 40,000 households is underway in Taiwan after Typhoon Haikui passed through the southern and eastern parts of the island, as cities and counties in the affected areas decided to close schools and cancel flights.

Haikui made landfall in a mountainous, sparsely populated area in southeastern Taiwan yesterday afternoon. It was the first hurricane to hit the island directly in four years. It then moved along the southern part of the country.

The public electricity company, Taipower, reported that the extreme phenomenon caused damage to the network, initially interrupting the electricity supply to 160,000 households, however, by late Sunday night, the power had been restored to most and less than 50,000 remained.

Authorities in counties and cities in southern, eastern and central Taiwan decided to close schools today and declare the day a public holiday.

Authorities said there were 40 injuries due to the typhoon, but no deaths.

According to the government in Taipei, more than 7,000 people were rushed from their homes, mainly in the southern and eastern parts of the island. Most domestic flights – more than 200 – were cancelled, as were ferry routes. 15 international flights were also canceled, according to Taiwan’s civil aviation authority.

By this morning, Haikui had entered the Taiwan Strait heading toward China, according to the island’s weather service. It will continue to cause rain in Taiwan until the middle of the week.

Chinese authorities have issued severe weather warnings due to Haikui in the coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong.