Typhoon Saola is the fifth tropical storm to hit the northwest Pacific this season. The storm left 26 dead in the Philippines and forced almost 200,000 to flee their homes in the nation's capital, Manila, as well as some northern provinces.

Saola briefly made landfall on Taiwan's east coast before weakening to a tropical storm and heading back out to sea. China is bracing for Saola next.

TYPHOON SAOLA

It is from TaiPei where CCTV footage captured this shocking video of a street collapsing under a man's feet (like a trap door)  sending him to his death. (VIDEO BELOW). Later a television reporter flees as a further section gives way.

Torrential rain and heavy winds caused flooding and landslides, killing 5 across Taiwan including the man in the video. Thousands had to flee their homes. The Defense Ministry mobilized 48,000 soldiers to give aid. It's estimated five feet of rain battered the nation. FIVE FEET! Can you imagine? Even the strongest infrastructure is hard pressed to survive that kind of punishment. Businesses were closed and dozens of flights in the region were canceled.

If you are wondering, a typhoon is the name for a cyclonic storm in the northwest Pacific whereas hurricane is used in the southeast and the Atlantic. Read more on typhoons here.

In our part of the world we've seen some severe weather but nothing like this. Everytime I see footage like this, or from tornadoes, twisters and the like I always wonder how people live with the threat. I guess you get used to it and cope as you must. LEAVE COMMENTS.

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