Taipei, Taiwan — Authorities in Taiwan have ordered mass evacuations as Typhoon Fung-wong moves closer to the island’s eastern coast.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported on Saturday, November 9, that the storm is packing intense winds and torrential rain, prompting warnings across multiple counties.
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🌏 Current Situation and Path
At 10 a.m. local time, Typhoon Fung-wong was located approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Hualien, with maximum sustained winds of 160 km/h (99 mph) and gusts reaching 195 km/h (121 mph).
The typhoon is moving northwest at about 20 km/h, expected to make its closest approach to Taiwan’s east coast by Sunday morning.
“This storm is one of the most powerful systems to threaten Taiwan this season,” said CWA spokesperson Lin Yu-hsien during a press briefing.
Meteorologists warn that the storm could bring destructive winds, flooding rains, and widespread power outages, particularly in mountainous and coastal regions.
(External Source: Central Weather Administration, Taiwan)
⚠️ Evacuations and Emergency Measures
Over 8,000 residents from Hualien, Taitung, and Yilan counties have been evacuated to shelters as local governments brace for the impact.
Authorities have also suspended ferry services, domestic flights, and coastal train operations until further notice.
The Taiwan Power Company has activated its emergency response team, warning that strong winds could cause damage to transmission lines and electrical substations.
“Our teams are standing by to restore power as quickly as possible once conditions allow,” a company spokesperson said.
🌧️ Heavy Rainfall and Landslide Risks
According to the CWA, rainfall totals could reach 400 millimeters (15 inches) in some areas, with a high risk of landslides and flash floods in the mountainous east.
Officials have urged residents to avoid rivers and low-lying areas.
In Taipei and New Taipei City, schools and businesses are expected to close temporarily as the storm passes.
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🌬️ Impact Beyond Taiwan
Meteorologists say that once Fung-wong moves northward, it could weaken over the East China Sea, but its outer bands may still affect southern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands.
Winds and rainfall could increase across Okinawa and Kyushu by early next week.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) continues to monitor the system, noting moderate rains over northern Luzon.
💬 Public Response
Social media platforms are filled with preparation updates, with citizens sharing photos of long supermarket lines and sandbag barricades.
Many express anxiety but remain calm and cooperative with evacuation orders.
“We learned from previous typhoons like Morakot and Soudelor — better to leave early than get trapped,” one resident in Taitung said.
Volunteer groups have also mobilized to provide aid and help relocate the elderly and disabled.
🛰️ Meteorological Insights
Experts say Fung-wong has intensified rapidly due to warmer sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, conditions that often produce stronger storms in the Pacific basin.
“Climate change is amplifying typhoon behavior, extending storm seasons into November,”
said Dr. Mei-Ling Chen, a meteorologist at National Taiwan University.
Satellite images show a well-defined eye structure and extensive rainbands stretching over 500 kilometers.
🏁 Outlook and Advice
The CWA expects Fung-wong to begin weakening after Sunday, but warns that dangerous conditions will persist through Monday.
Citizens are urged to remain indoors, stock up on essentials, and follow official announcements from local authorities.
Truth matters — Dkolla Team
