Alexa
  • Directory of Taiwan

Typhoon Megi envelops Taiwan, disrupts transportation

A pedestrian was crossing amidst strong winds caused by Typhoon Megi on Tuesday but ended up being tumbled down the street.

Typhoon Megi envelops Taiwan, disrupts transportation

A pedestrian was crossing amidst strong winds caused by Typhoon Megi on Tuesday but ended up being tumbled down the street.

Typhoon Megi is expected to fully engulf Taiwan and flood low-lying regions Tuesday. Effects of the storm are expected to worsen dramatically in Taiwan after midday. Power outages and minor structural damage are possible. On early Tuesday, the typhoon was making landfall on the coastal area between Hualien and Taitung, with the center of the typhoon to pass through Hualian after noon. The radius of the storm was 250km. The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) issued heavy rain and strong wind advisories, especially for eastern and southern Taiwan. Counties and cities have announced one day or half-day closures due to the typhoon. Transportation services have been partially cancelled. Taiwan High Speed Rail has suspended service for the entire day due to safety concerns; Taiwan Rail service has suspended services nationwide, with the exception of local trains along the Western Line. According to Chinese-language Apple Daily, freeway No. 8 between Guanyuan and Taroko, freeway No. 27 between Hulu Valley and Dajin, freeway No. 9 Suhua, freeway No. 7 between Xichun and Chilan, and freeway No. 11 between Guanfu and Fengbin of Hualien have been closed since Monday evening. According to the CWB, Typhoon Megi is the largest storm recorded in Taiwan this year with peak wind gusts of 45 meters per second. The strong winds have also affected air travel. A total of 264 flights have reportedly been cancelled due to safety concerns. China Airlines, EVA Air, Far Eastern Air Transport, and TransAsia Airways have announced some flights have either been cancelled or postponed. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines or tour operators before heading to the airport. The CWB issued a torrential rain advisory for Yilan and Hualien, saying that mountainous areas might receive 600 to 900 millimeters of rainfall as the typhoon crosses the island. Taitung, Pingtung, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, Kaohsiung residents are advised to prepare for possible heavy rains and flash flooding. On Monday, Taiwan Water Corp. advised households to store water ahead of the typhoon as a precaution for possible water supply disruptions due to power outages or water turbidity. Some minor damage has been reported due to strong winds since Monday: a 30-ton fishing boat ran aground on rocks and a 700-ton crane truck tumbled onto the roadside due to strong winds. No injuries were reported from the accidents. Most offices and classes have been closed Tuesday in Taiwan due to the typhoon. For more information, visit: http://www.dgpa.gov.tw/ndse.html