TAIPEI, Aug 7 (AP) -- A tropical storm packing winds of up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) per hour is moving toward Taiwan and could hit the island later Tuesday, meteorologists said.

Tropical storm Pabuk was about 400 kilometers (240 miles) southeast of coastal Taitung county in southern Taiwan at 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) Tuesday, the Central Weather Bureau said.

The storm was moving northwest toward Taiwan at 24 kilometers (15 miles) per hour, it said.

The bureau warned ships sailing through the Taiwan Strait, Bashi Channel or seas east of Taiwan to take extra precautions.

It said the storm could hit Taitung on Tuesday night if it maintains its current course, and bring strong winds and rain to eastern and southern parts of the island.