Tropical storm Wipha strengthened into a typhoon Monday, and Taiwanese authorities issued a land warning for it, adding to their existing sea caution.

As of 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) Wipha was approaching the island packing winds of 126 kilometers (78 miles) per hour, the Central Weather Bureau said.

It said the typhoon's center was located about 540 kilometers (335 miles) southeast of coastal Yilan county in northern Taiwan, and cautioned if Wipha maintains its current course, its fringe could affect the island Tuesday afternoon.

The bureau warned the public in northern Taiwan about heavy wind and rain.

Earlier Monday it cautioned ships traveling through its northern and eastern waters. Wipha is a Thai female name.

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