Authorities evacuated about 3,000 people from high-risk locations in eastern Taiwan ahead of Typhoon Haikui, which is expected to reach the island directly for the first time in four years.
Haikui, which has already produced heavy rainfall by Sunday morning, has a sustained wind speed of roughly 140 kilometres per hour and is projected to make landfall in Taiwan’s eastern Taitung area by 5:00 p.m. (0900 GMT).
Schools and offices in the island’s south and east were shuttered on Sunday, while more than 200 domestic flights were canceled.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen predicted Sunday that Haikui would be the first typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan in four years.
“I remind people to prepare for the typhoon and watch out for their safety, avoid going out or engaging in any dangerous activities”, he added.
The storm was around 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of Taiwan just before 9:00 a.m., according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau.
“It has gained some strength since yesterday”, deputy Director Fong Chin-tzu said, asking the public to be on guard.
“With winds, rains, and waves, it is expected to pose a significant threat to most areas in Taiwan”, he warned, adding that the storm would proceed west to the Taiwan Strait by Monday.
The Interior Ministry reported that authorities had evacuated over 2,800 individuals across seven cities in Taiwan, the majority of them were from the hilly county of Hualien, which borders Taitung.
Hualien’s streets were desolate on Sunday morning, pummeled by continuous torrential rain and dismal clouds.
The military has deployed troops and equipment, including amphibious vehicles and inflatable rubber boats, to areas of Taiwan where Haikui is likely to have the most impact.
The most recent significant typhoon to hit Taiwan was Typhoon Bailu in 2019, which killed one person.
Haikui is forecast to be less severe than Saola, which missed Taiwan but raised the threat level in adjacent Hong Kong and southern China before weakening into a tropical storm by Saturday.
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