At least four people are known to have died as Typhoon Saola hit Taiwan overnight, with torrential rain sweeping the island.

As many as 200 flights have been cancelled following the incident, with authorities also forced to suspend trading on financial markets.

Saola earlier killed at least 23 people in the Philippine.

The slow-moving storm made landfall near the eastern coastal city of Hualien on Wednesday evening, according to the Central Weather Bureau in Taiwan.

It is the first typhoon to hit the island this year.

Many residents across the island woke up to see their neighbourhoods covered in ankle-deep water.

The Central Weather Bureau is reporting winds of up to 97 miles an hour.

Rail traffic has also been interrupted was also interrupted.