TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Typhoon Bavi injured 36 people across Taiwan as strong winds and heavy rain caused traffic accidents, property damage, evacuations, and power outages, CNA reported Saturday.
Speaking during a status meeting, the Central Emergency Operations Center said there were no deaths or serious injuries as of 8 a.m. Most people were injured in scooter falls, storm preparations, or accidents caused by strong winds and slippery roads.
Liberty Times reported that Yunlin County recorded eight injuries, while Taichung recorded four. Authorities did not release a full breakdown of the remaining cases.
Officials recorded 376 storm-related incidents nationwide, including fallen trees and damage to essential infrastructure. Emergency crews had resolved 299 cases, while 77 were still being handled.
Taichung, Tainan, and Taipei recorded the largest numbers of incidents. Authorities evacuated 14,210 people, including 5,167 in Hualien County and 2,060 in Taichung.
TVBS News reported that Bavi had begun affecting Taiwan’s main island. Officials warned people in northern and eastern Taiwan, as well as Matsu, to stay away from coastlines due to large waves.
The heaviest rain was expected in northern and northeast Taiwan and in mountainous areas nationwide. Authorities warned that sudden downpours could cause flooding, while strong winds could damage coastal and exposed areas.
Yellow alerts were issued for 184 locations at risk of debris flows in Yilan County, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, and Miaoli County. Four areas were also placed under warnings for possible large landslides, including three in Hsinchu County and one in Miaoli County, per UDN.
Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) urged people to avoid mountains, low-lying areas, and coastlines. She said authorities were watching for landslides, falling rocks, flash floods, and communities that could become isolated.
CNA reported that Typhoon Bavi caused power outages across Taiwan. As of 11 a.m. Saturday, electricity had been restored to 94,133 of the 138,951 affected households, while 44,818 remained without power.
Areas still affected included Taoyuan with 11,881 households, Kaohsiung with 6,191, Taichung with 5,394, New Taipei with 4,767, and Yunlin County with 4,283. Other outages were reported in Changhua County, Nantou County, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Chiayi County, Tainan, Pingtung County, and Taipei.
