Taiwan Moves 3,000 People to Safety as Typhoon Fung-wong Nears

Post by : Sameer Saifi

Taiwan has moved more than 3,000 people to safer places as Typhoon Fung-wong comes closer to the island. The government issued a land warning and asked people to stay alert, especially in the eastern and southern regions where heavy rain is expected.

The typhoon is weaker now than before, but it is still strong enough to cause serious rainfall, floods, and landslides. The storm is expected to reach the southwestern coast near Kaohsiung on Wednesday. Kaohsiung is one of Taiwan’s most important port cities, and local officials are preparing for strong winds and heavy downpours.

Earlier, Typhoon Fung-wong passed through the Philippines as a much stronger storm. There, it caused heavy damage and killed at least 18 people, mostly due to landslides in the mountains. Many people in the Philippines are still missing or injured.

Taiwan’s mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen Chi-mai, told the public that even though the typhoon has weakened, everyone must stay careful. He said that storms can change quickly and that people should avoid going to dangerous places such as mountains, rivers, and coasts.

On social media, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te also reminded people to avoid risky areas. He asked everyone to follow government instructions and to look after each other. He stressed that safety must come first.

Because of the typhoon, 66 local flights were cancelled on Tuesday. Schools and offices were closed in some areas, especially in Hualien and Yilan counties. These areas are known for their mountains and steep land, which can become dangerous when heavy rain falls.

Hualien recently suffered heavy losses from a different typhoon in September. At that time, floods killed 18 people in the area, and many houses were destroyed. This is why the government is taking extra care now. In the town of Guangfu, where many of the earlier deaths happened, people were told to leave their homes early to avoid danger.

So far, 3,337 people have been moved out of risky zones. They are staying in safe shelters arranged by local authorities. Food, blankets, and medical help are being provided.

Weather experts say that the typhoon will move across the bottom part of the island and then go back out into the Pacific Ocean. It will pass along the coastline of Taitung and Hualien, which are less populated than central and northern Taiwan. This may help reduce the overall damage.

The northern city of Hsinchu, which is home to TSMC, the world’s largest company that makes computer chips, is not expected to be directly affected by the storm. This means there should be no major disruption to global chip supply chains, which are very important for electronics around the world.

However, the threat of landslides in Taiwan remains high. The country has many tall mountains, and when rain falls quickly and heavily, the soil can loosen and move. This is especially dangerous for small villages and rural communities.

The Philippines, where the typhoon hit earlier, showed how dangerous the storm can be. Many of the deaths happened because soil and rocks slid down mountains into homes. Philippine officials say two people are still missing and 28 are injured. Rescue teams are continuing to search the damaged areas.

Officials in Taiwan say their main goal is to prevent similar tragedies. They want people to leave risky areas early rather than wait until it is too late.

Emergency teams are on standby with rescue vehicles, medical units, and equipment to clear roads if trees or rocks fall. Coast guard teams are watching the ocean conditions closely. Fishermen have been told not to go to sea.

People living in cities are being asked to stay indoors during the storm. They should avoid beaches and rivers, even if the weather looks calm. Many accidents during typhoons happen when people try to take photos or watch big waves.

Authorities also reminded families to prepare emergency kits. These should include drinking water, basic medicines, flashlights, phone chargers, and some dry food in case of power cuts.

The government has said that it will continue to provide updates through television, radio, and mobile alerts. Families are encouraged to check on elderly relatives or neighbours to make sure they are safe.

Typhoon Fung-wong is one of several storms to hit East Asia this year. Climate experts say storms are becoming stronger and bringing more rain than before. Warmer ocean temperatures may be one of the main reasons.

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