Typhoon Mujigae smashes southern China

Four people are dead and scores are missing after a major typhoon with gusts of wind reaching almost 200 km/h hit southern China.

Typhoon Mujigae hit the coastal city of Zhanjiang, Guandong, on Sunday afternoon after first hitting the northern Philippines, South China Morning post reports.

In amateur video captured by a panicked Zhanjiang resident, a tornado can be seen moving quickly across the city, as lightning strikes.

Wind speeds hit 180 km/h, forcing more than 200,000 to be evacuated from southern China before the typhoon hit land.

Sixteen people are still missing.

The typhoon comes a week after typhoon Dujuan hit Taiwan, killing three and injuring more than 350.