Typhoon Saola is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan. Authorities there have issued an alert for residents in coastal areas as the storm is also bringing high waves.

The authorities say part of southern Taiwan came within the typhoon's strong wind zone on Wednesday as it is moving west over the waters south of Taiwan.

They say winds of up to 108 kilometers per hour were observed in Hengchun Peninsula in Pingtung County, the southern tip of Taiwan.

Rainfall has been intensifying in Hualien County as well as Pingtung, with some of the areas recording cumulative precipitation from Tuesday exceeding 100 millimeters.

The storm came as Kaohsiung, Pingtung and other areas on the southern coast are experiencing seasonal high tides. Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS aired footage of people wading through water as high as their ankles.

Sea waves are expected to reach more than six meters high off coastal areas in southern Taiwan including Hengchun Peninsula.

The typhoon is forecast to head toward the continent, and Taiwan is expected to be out of its strong wind zone by Thursday dawn. But authorities are calling on people to stay on alert as strong winds and heavy rain are forecast to continue through Thursday.