TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwan has initiated the evacuation of over 8,300 residents from coastal and mountainous regions as a precautionary measure ahead of the tropical storm Fung-wong, which is expected to impact the southern part of the island on Wednesday.
Fung-wong initially exhibited super typhoon strength when it struck the Philippines on Sunday, resulting in significant flooding, landslides, power outages, and at least 27 fatalities. By Wednesday morning, the storm had weakened to tropical storm strength and was anticipated to continue losing intensity as it neared Taiwan.
As reported by the National Fire Agency, heavy rainfall and flooding had already caused injuries to at least 51 individuals by Wednesday morning. The majority of those evacuated, totaling 8,326, were from Hualien County, an area still reeling from a typhoon in September that claimed 18 lives.
A village in Hualien experienced severe flooding on Tuesday due to an overflowing creek, with local media capturing images of vehicles being swept away by the rising waters. In response to the storm, schools and offices were closed in central and southern Taiwan, affecting coastal cities such as Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan, as well as Pingtung, Chiayi, and Miaoli counties. Meanwhile, operations in the capital city, Taipei, remained unaffected.
As of early Wednesday, Fung-wong was situated approximately 140 kilometers (87 miles) southwest of Taiwan in the South China Sea, moving northeastward at a speed of 16 kph (10 mph). It is expected to make landfall in the afternoon or evening, grazing the southern coast of Taiwan before moving out towards the southeastern region.
The storm was reported to have maximum sustained winds of 65 kph (40 mph), accompanied by higher gusts. Authorities have cautioned residents across Taiwan to avoid beach areas, where wave heights are projected to reach between 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16.4 feet). Preparatory measures include securing signboards, fences, and flowerpots to withstand the anticipated strong winds.
In the Philippines, the aftermath of the storm left over 623,300 individuals in evacuation centers as of Wednesday, according to the Office of Civil Defense. Many of the fatalities recorded in the Philippines resulted from landslides in the Cordillera region, a mountainous area consisting of six provinces that are popular among backpackers and tourists for their picturesque towns, cool climates, strawberry fields, and terraced rice paddies.
This weather event underscores the vulnerabilities faced by communities in both Taiwan and the Philippines due to severe storm systems. As the region braces for the impact of Fung-wong, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of affected populations while managing the risks of flooding and landslides that accompany such severe weather phenomena.
