Typhoon Haikui made landfall in eastern Taiwan on Sunday unleashing torrential downpours with strong winds plunging thousands of households into darkness as the first major storm to directly hit the island in four years. Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas, hundreds of flights were canceled, and businesses closed in preparation for the storm, news agency AFP reported.
In a press conference, Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau informed that the typhoon was “at our doorstep”. AFP reported him as confirming by 3:40 pm (0740 GMT) that it had made landfall in coastal Taitung, a mountainous county in lesser-populated eastern Taiwan.
Residents hunkered down indoors in the dark, staying away from windows as strong gusts of wind sent toppled trees and dislodged water tanks flying in the air, according to AFP’s report.
VIDEO: 🇹🇼 Taiwan residents prepare for Typhoon Haikui
Haikui made landfall in eastern Taiwan on Sunday, unleashing torrential downpours, whipping winds and plunging thousands into darkness as the first major storm to directly hit the island in four years ➡️… pic.twitter.com/yQYjP6Enwr
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 3, 2023
“I think this time it is serious,” said retired mechanic Chang Jhi-ming, 58, in Taitung, the report mentioned. “This is just beginning; the wind is just coming in, and you can see trees toppling already.”
The typhoon has gathered speed since yesterday and at 3:00 pm was packing sustained winds of about 154 kilometres (95 miles) per hour.
“Rain and wind will be most intense, and its impact will be most obvious during this period” after landfall, a spokesperson with the weather bureau said. It was informed that the typhoon will move into the Taiwan Strait by Monday evening.
Across the island, more than 21,000 households lost power, and while most resumed by mid-afternoon, about 9,000 were still without electricity when Haikui hit — including in Taitung, AFP reported.
Authorities have reported two minor injuries in Hualien County, a mountainous region that was issued a warning for flash floods after a fallen tree hit a car.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said Haikui would be the first in four years to cross the Central Mountain Range running north to south of the island — a path that could lead to landslides in surrounding counties.
“I remind the people to make preparations for the typhoon and watch out for your safety, avoid going out or any dangerous activities,” President Tsai said. as per the report.
‘Big Winds’ — Preparations and Impact For Typhoon Haikui
The streets in Hualien wore a deserted look on Sunday as unrelenting rain battered the area. In northeastern coastal Yilan county, a fishing harbor saw towering waves slam against the shore.
Before Haikui landed, Taitung witnessed ripped-up trees littering the streets while street signs were also swayed under the strong winds.
A restaurant owner tied his signpost advertising seafood down. “I almost forgot what it’s like to be in a typhoon. What big winds!” restaurant owner Huang Jun-tong said, as quoted by AFP.
“Yesterday, it was so calm that we did not feel like a typhoon was coming. Today, we feel it,” he added.
The military had mobilised soldiers and equipment — such as amphibious vehicles and inflatable rubber boats — around the parts of Taiwan where Haikui is expected to have the heaviest impact.
Typhoon Bailu in 2019 was the last major storm to hit Taiwan, it left one person dead.
Haikui is expected to be less severe than Saola which bypassed Taiwan but prompted the highest threat level in nearby Hong Kong and southern China before it weakenening into a tropical storm by Saturday.
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