TAIWAN suffered flooding in low-lying areas, along with landslides and damage to homes and shops today after the devastating Typhoon Gaemi made landfall on the island.

The storm swept up the western Pacific, leaving 22 people dead in the Philippines from flooding and landslides, and three in Taiwan, with more than 220 reported injured.

Offices and schools in Taiwan were closed for the second consecutive day and people were urged to stay home and away from the coastline.

In the Philippines, the death toll rose due to drownings and landslides. At least three people are missing, according to police.

The Philippine coastguard reported that an oil tanker, MT Terra Nova, loaded with about 370,000 gallons of industrial fuel oil sank off Limay town in Bataan province early Thursday.

Rescuers managed to save 15 of 16 crew members.

Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said coastguard personnel could not immediately reach the area to contain a possible oil spill because of the rough sea conditions.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has ordered authorities to speed up efforts to deliver food and other aid to isolated rural villages.

He told a televised emergency meeting: “People there may not have eaten for days.”

The storm’s effects were expected to continue into Friday as it moved in a north-western direction toward mainland China.