Typhoon batters eastern China

Typhoon Haikui struck China on Wednesday, packing winds up to 110 kilometres per hour.

The storm -- which brought with it heavy rains and flooding -- prompted officials to evacuate an estimated 2 million people and ground hundreds of flights.

State news agency Xinhua said evacuations took place in eastern China, including outlying areas of Shanghai.

By late Wednesday evening, the storm's epicentre was expected to have moved northwest, though wet and windy conditions were likely to persist.

More than 500 domestic and international flights to and from Shanghai's two airports had been cancelled as of mid-morning Wednesday.