Thousands evacuated in Taiwan as Tropical Storm Fung-wong closes in

The slow-moving tempest is owed to marque landfall connected Wednesday nighttime aft leaving the Philippines.

Taipei, Taiwan — More than 3,300 radical successful Taiwan person been evacuated from their homes arsenic Tropical Storm Fung-Wong closes successful connected the island, bringing dense rainfall and beardown winds, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency.

The slow-moving tempest was astir 140km (87 miles) southwest of Taiwan connected Wednesday morning, according to its Central Weather Administration, with winds measuring 72km/h (45mph) and gusts of up to 101km/h (63mph).

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Fung-wong, downgraded from a ace typhoon, is expected to marque landfall successful Taiwan connected Wednesday evening and determination northeast implicit the island, the upwind bureau said.

Earlier this week, the tempest caused 18 deaths successful the Philippines owed to floods and landslides, according to The Associated Press quality agency; however, it has since dilatory weakened arsenic it approached Taiwan.

Schools and workplaces crossed confederate and eastbound Taiwan were nevertheless shuttered connected Wednesday, and each home flights were cancelled successful anticipation of Fung-Wong ‘s arrival.

Parts of Taiwan person already seen dense rainfall and flooding earlier the accomplishment of Fung-wong, with 1 assemblage successful the northbound receiving 783.5mm (3 inches) of rainfall arsenic of Tuesday evening.

The bulk of Taiwan’s evacuation bid has been issued for Hualien County connected the island’s rugged eastbound coast, which is prone to landslides and earthquakes. The portion usually takes the brunt of Taiwan’s typhoon damage.

At slightest 19 radical were killed successful Hualien successful September erstwhile a obstruction water successful the mountains overflowed during different typhoon, sending 60 cardinal tonnes of h2o and debris into a adjacent community.

Barrier lakes are formed from a operation of rainwater and landslides, and they cannot beryllium easy dismantled if crushed conditions are deemed excessively unstable. The aforesaid obstruction water has been nether reflection each week, according to Taiwan’s Forestry Bureau.

A video shared by CNA shows an overflowing creek surging done a adjacent colony of astir 300 radical successful Hualien County connected Tuesday, wherever precocious floodwaters easy pushed astir a car caught up successful them. A 2nd video shows a roadworthy connected a low-lying plain wholly washed retired by fast-moving water.

Heavy rainfall advisories stay successful effect for parts of Taiwan until Thursday morning, erstwhile Fung-wong is expected to determination retired to sea.