Taiwan: Typhoon Haikui tracking west-northwestward across southern Taiwan as of evening Sept. 3 /update 5

Event

Typhoon Haikui is tracking west-northwestward across southern Taiwan the evening of Sept. 3 following landfall in Taitung County near the border of Chenggong and Donghe townships earlier in the day. As of 17:00 CST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 244 km (152 miles) south of Taipei, Taiwan.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will weaken but remain a typhoon as it tracks westward across southern Taiwan, exits into the South China Sea late Sept. 3, and pass just south of Penghu County, Taiwan early Sept. 4. Haikui will weaken into a tropical storm over the sea before making landfall over far southern Fujian Province, China, early Sept. 5. The storm will likely weaken into a tropical depression as it tracks slowly westward across eastern Guangdong Province through the afternoon of Sept. 7 before dissipating over central Guangdong Province the afternoon of Sept. 8. Uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of the evening of Sept. 3, the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau has issued purple (second-highest level on a four-tier scale) extremely torrential rain advisories across Hualien County, red torrential rain advisories across Pingtung, Taitung, and Yilan counties and Taichung City, and orange extremely heavy rain advisories across Hsinchu, Miaoli, and Nantou counties and Kaohsiung, New Taipei, and Taoyuan cities. Yellow heavy rain advisories are in place across Chiayi and Yunlin counties as well as Chiayi, Keelung, Tainan, and Taipei cities. Strong wind advisories are in place across Taiwan through Sept. 4. Authorities will likely issue new warnings or update existing advisories throughout the system's progression in the coming days.

Two people in Hualien County were slightly injured due to a falling tree Sept. 3. Authorities have evacuated more than 3,700 people across Taiwan, mainly in the southern and eastern areas, including the mountainous areas of Fengbin, Shilin, Wanrung, and Zhouxi townships in Hualien County. Chiayi County has evacuated all tourists in Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. Uni Air (B7) and Mandarin Airlines (AE) canceled all domestic flights in Taiwan Sept. 3. At least 41 international flights have been canceled. All ferry services between Fugang in Taitung County and Green Island are canceled through at least Sept. 3, while ferry services between Donggang in Pingtung County and Xiaoliuqiu Island are canceled through at least Sept. 4. Long Hung Shipping Co. has canceled services between Taitung County and Orchid Island and between Houbihu in Pingtung County and Orchid Island through at least Sept. 3. Chiayi, Kaohsiung, Penghu, and Tainan cities and Chiayi, Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung counties announced school and office closures Sept. 3. Reports indicate that more than 21,000 households lost power at the height of the storm; most power has since been restored but more than 9,300 households in Taitung and Hualien counties remain without power as of the evening of Sept. 3.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

The inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions and render some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary closures of ports are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.

Advice

Activate contingency plans in areas where officials forecast tropical storm conditions. Heed any evacuation orders that may be issued. Use extreme caution in low-lying coastal areas and near streams, creeks, and other waterways due to the potential for severe flooding and storm surge. Stockpile water, batteries, and other essentials in advance. Charge battery-powered devices when electricity is available; restrict the use of cellular phones to emergencies only. Power down mobile devices when not in use. Keep important documents and necessary medications in waterproof containers. Observe strict food and water precautions, as municipalities could issue boil-water advisories following flooding events. Take precautions against insect- and waterborne diseases in the coming weeks.

Plan accordingly for protracted commercial, transport, and logistics disruptions in areas in the path of the storm, especially if vital infrastructure is damaged. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where flooding has occurred. Confirm flights before checking out of hotels or driving to the airport; clearing passenger backlogs may take several days in some locations.

Resources

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Taiwan Central Weather Bureau
China Meteorological Administration