New storm approaches Taiwan after deadly typhoon

TAIPEI, Taiwan (Reuters) -- Weather forecasters warned Taiwan residents to prepare for torrential rains that could trigger landslides, just days after the worst typhoon in five years battered the island killing at least 62 people.

The Central Weather Bureau said on Sunday it was not clear whether the new storm, which killed at least 24 in the Philippines and was moving through the South China Sea, would directly hit Taiwan or head for Hong Kong.

But they said there would be intense rain in northern and eastern parts of the island in coming days.

The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted a standby signal No .1 for the storm, Bebinca, but said on Sunday the likelihood of it increasing to a strong wind signal No. 3 was low.

"Severe tropical storm Bebinca was estimated to be about 650 kilometers south-southeast of Hong Kong and is forecast to move northwest slowly and to edge closer to the South China coast over the next few days," the observatory said.

In Taiwan, rescue workers continued the search for 27 people missing since Typhoon Xangsane hit on Monday, including 23 sailors whose cargo ship sank off Taiwan's northeast coast, but hopes of finding any survivors now looked grim.

"We dispatched five patrol boats and two naval rescue vessels, but there were no signs of survivors," the interior ministry's disaster response center said in a statement.

It said poor weather conditions had prevented them from sending helicopters for the rescue.

The Panamanian-registered cargo ship Manila Spirit sank on Wednesday and only one of the 24-member crew has been found.

Xangsane, or Elephant God in Chinese, poured rain on the island from Monday to Wednesday night, triggering rock and mud slides in mountainous regions and burying dozens of people.

Initial agricultural losses were put at around T$2 billion ($62.5 million), making it the most destructive storm since Typhoon Herb killed 73 people and caused T$14 billion in losses in July 1996.

Weather also may have been a factor in the crash in Taipei of a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747, which crashed on takeoff during the typhoon on Tuesday night, killing 81 people.

Taiwan investigators have said the plane took off from a runway that had been closed for maintenance.

But the investigators were also looking at the role strong winds, rains and poor visibility played in Tuesday's crash, and whether the airport had taken adequate safety measures.

Xangsane killed at least 26 people in the Philippines, and left 50 missing and 230 hurt before it headed north to Taiwan.

Taiwan is often hit by typhoons, with half a dozen affecting the island this year.

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