Taiwan is bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Vung Wong, known locally as Awan, after passing through the northern Philippines, causing strong winds, heavy rain and the evacuation of nearly a million people.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Agency (CWA), the storm was located about 556 kilometers southwest of Cape Ilwanpi, on the southern tip of the island, at 08:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 126 kilometers per hour (km/h) at its center and gusts of up to 162 km/h.
The typhoon is moving northwest toward the Taiwan Strait at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour, and is expected to then head toward the northeast and approach the island as it loses its intensity.
The weather agency, which may issue a marine typhoon warning this afternoon, warned that the interaction between the outer bands of Vung Wong and monsoon winds could cause heavy rains in northern, eastern and far southern Taiwan, from Monday night to Tuesday.
Heavy rain is also expected in the center and south of the island on Wednesday, according to the CWA, which estimates that Vung Wong will weaken as it makes landfall in Taiwan and gradually move away on Thursday.
Schools and offices closed
Currently, the government of East Hualien County announced on Monday the closure of schools and offices in Guangfu Municipality, as well as the evacuation of residents from some parts of the city due to the risk of floods and landslides, according to the Central News Agency.
At the end of September, rains associated with the passage of powerful Typhoon Rajasa across Taiwan caused a blocked lake in Guangfu to overflow, leaving 19 people dead, 5 missing, and 157 injured in this municipality, as well as more than 1,600 homes damaged by landslides.
In comments reported by CNA, Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Kung Ming-hsien, said on Monday that about 4,000 workers at state-owned company Taipower are already on alert in anticipation of a possible power outage.
High-powered bombs have also been deployed and embankments reinforced with additional protection structures in Hualien County, the official added.
Hurricanes are frequent phenomena in southeastern China and Taiwan during the summer and fall, as the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean lead to the formation of hurricanes that sometimes cause major damage and disruption to transportation and economic activities.
mg (efe, south china morning post)
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