A powerful typhoon struck southern Taiwan on Friday, toppling trees, overturning vehicles and dumping rains that swelled rivers and flooded homes and farmlands.

No casualties were reported as Typhoon Tembin swooped its way across Pingtung and Kaohsiung counties, after making landfall around 5 am (2100 GMT Thursday). By late morning it was back out at sea, though forecasters warned it could return - albeit weakened - to dump more rain across Taiwan's southern agricultural heartland.

Trees are blown down and strewn across the road as Typhoon Tembin lands on Pingtung in Taiwan, Aug 24. [Photo/Xinhua]

The impact of the storm in the heavily populated areas of northern Taiwan was extremely limited. Businesses and schools in Taipei were operating normally, and flights at Taipei's two airports were unaffected.

With Tembin gradually weakening, attention began to turn to Typhoon Bolaven, which threatens to hit southern Japan over the weekend. Packing winds of 144 kph (89 mph), the storm may further intensify, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, and it could hit Okinawa on Sunday.

Television pictures showed empty buses overturned by raging waters, and streets littered with uprooted trees and pieces of mangled furniture.

In Taitung county to the east, winds measuring close to 155 kph (96 mph) toppled trees and blew out windows across a wide swath of area.