As Taiwan braces for the impact of Tropical Storm Fung-Wong, over 3,300 residents are being evacuated as a precautionary measure. With its anticipated landfall drawing near, heavy rains and powerful winds have already begun to affect the island, following the storm’s earlier devastation in the Philippines, where it tragically claimed 18 lives. The unfolding situation emphasizes the pressing need for preparedness and resilience in the face of climate-related disasters, illustrating the interconnectedness of communities across the region.
Taipei, Taiwan — More than 3,300 people in Taiwan have been evacuated from their homes as Tropical Storm Fung-Wong approaches the island, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. The slow-moving storm was reported to be approximately 140 kilometers (87 miles) southwest of Taiwan on Wednesday morning, with sustained winds reaching 72 km/h (45 mph) and gusts of up to 101 km/h (63 mph), as indicated by the Central Weather Administration.
Having been downgraded from a super typhoon, Fung-Wong is expected to make landfall in Taiwan on Wednesday evening, subsequently moving northeast over the island, according to forecasts by the local weather bureau. Earlier this week, the storm severely impacted the Philippines, leading to 18 fatalities due to floods and landslides. However, as it nears Taiwan, Fung-Wong has gradually weakened.
In anticipation of the storm, schools and workplaces across southern and eastern regions of Taiwan were closed on Wednesday, and all domestic flights have been suspended. Some areas have already experienced significant rainfall, with one locality in the northern part of the island recording 783.5mm (3 inches) of rain by Tuesday evening.
The evacuation orders have primarily targeted Hualien County, a rugged area on Taiwan’s east coast known for landslides and earthquakes. This region often bears the brunt of damages caused by typhoons. Just last month, Hualien witnessed the tragic deaths of 19 individuals when a barrier lake overflowed during another typhoon, releasing an overwhelming 60 million tonnes of water and debris into a nearby community.
Barrier lakes form as a result of a combination of heavy rainfall and landslide activity, and they present a serious risk as they cannot be easily dismantled if ground conditions are unstable. The same barrier lake that overflowed last month has remained under careful observation by Taiwan’s Forestry Bureau throughout the week.
Videos circulating on social media show a creek surging through a small village of about 300 people in Hualien County on Tuesday, where floodwaters swept away a car caught in the current. Additional footage captures a road on a low-lying plain that has been completely washed out by the swift-moving water.
Heavy rain advisories for various regions of Taiwan are still in effect, with expectations that Fung-Wong will shift out to sea by Thursday morning. The ongoing situation highlights the essential need for vigilance and effective disaster management in mitigating the impacts of such weather events.
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