Typhoon Haikui prompts emergency evacuations. Nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated from high-risk regions in Taiwan as Typhoon Haikui approaches the island.
This is Taiwan’s first direct encounter with a tropical cyclone of this magnitude in four years. Haikui is expected to make landfall in Taiwan’s eastern Taitung area by 5:00pm (0900 GMT) with sustained winds of approximately 140 kilometres per hour (39 miles per hour).
Authorities have taken precautionary measures in response to the looming threat, including the closure of schools and offices in the island’s southern and eastern districts. Over 200 domestic flights have also been cancelled to guarantee safety.
As Typhoon Haikui prompts emergency evacuations, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau, the storm was around 180 kilometres (110 miles) east of the island as of 9:00 a.m.
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According to Deputy Director Fong Chin-tzu, Haikui has grown in strength since the previous day, posing a severe risk to much of Taiwan because to strong winds, heavy rainfall, and large waves.
He also stated that the storm is projected to travel westward towards the Taiwan Strait by Monday.
To prepare for the expected impact of Haikui, officials conducted evacuations, evacuating over 2,800 people across seven cities, largely in the hilly Hualien county next to Taitung.
Hualien’s streets were deserted on Sunday morning, despite severe rain and threatening clouds.
In anticipation for the storm, the military has deployed personnel and equipment, including amphibious vehicles and inflatable rubber boats, in locations where Haikui is likely to cause the most damage.
The most recent major typhoon to hit Taiwan was Typhoon Bailu in 2019, which killed one person.
Although Haikui is projected to be less severe than Saola, it has heightened alert levels in neighbouring Hong Kong and southern China.
With Typhoon Haikui on its way, Taiwan is on high alert, focusing on the safety of its citizens and minimising the storm’s possible effect.
