The widening political fallout from a typhoon that killed more than 600 people in Taiwan yesterday claimed the island's premier as the entire cabinet prepared to offer to resign.

President Ma Ying-jeou, who swept to victory in Taiwan's election last year, has seen his popularity plunge in the aftermath of typhoon Morakot as the public judged the government's response to the August 8 storm as slow and ineffective. Hundreds died in mountain villages buried in landslides. According to the Global Views Survey Research Center, Mr Ma's public approval rating has slipped to 23 per cent from nearly 40 per cent in June.

In resigning, Liu Chao-shiuan, the premier, said: “With so many people dead, I believe someone should shoulder the political blame.” He added, “Now is the time to leave.”