Torrential rain hit parts of Taiwan on Tuesday night even as the island nation escaped the impact of Typhoon Maria that officials were expecting, AFP reported. Maria is the first typhoon of the season for Taiwan.

A man in New Taipei City died when he fell from the second floor while inspecting his doors and windows early on Wednesday, local media reported.

On Tuesday, more than 2,000 soldiers were deployed to evacuate nearly 3,500 people across Taiwan amid warnings of floods and landslides. However, the storm weakened as it approached the island and moved past it to the northwest. Strong winds are still expected, after some parts of the country received rain of up to 100 mm at night.

Schools and offices were closed in parts of the country on Wednesday. Authorities have told people to avoid the coast. Trees were reported to have fallen and some mountainous roads were blocked. About 43,000 households lost power at the typhoon’s peak. Hundreds of flights were affected. Seventy-six domestic flights and 145 international flights were cancelled on Tuesday.