Publication Date August 5, 2015 | Sydney Morning Herald

Super Typhoon Soudelor stirs monster waves, powerful thunderstorms

Taiwan
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui snapped this image of Super Typhoon Soudelor from the International Space Station. Photo: Via Twitter
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui snapped this image of Super Typhoon Soudelor from the International Space Station. Photo: Via Twitter

Super Typhoon Soudelor, the most powerful storm so far this year, is generating waves of close to 15 metres as it barrels towards Taiwan. Sustained winds were last calculated at 130 knots (241km/h), with gusts reaching 160 knots (296km/h), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre. US space agency NASA said the storm contained "powerful thunderstorms" and that maximum sustained winds had earlier reached 140 knots (259km/h) - possibly the peak for this event. The category 5 storm left a trail of destruction in the US territory of Saipan.