A woman uses an umbrella against strong wind and rain brought by typhoon Dujuan at Tamshui district, New Taipei City. Photo: AFP

Thousands evacuated as 227km/h ‘Super Typhoon’ Dujuan heads for Taiwan

Storm is on course to hit the coast of mainland China on Tuesday, but weather bureau officials say it should have weakened by then

Agence France-Presse

Published: 11:30am, 28 Sep 2015

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“Super Typhoon” Dujuan – with gusts measured at speeds of up to 227km/h – was swirling towards Taiwan on Monday with thousands of people, including tourists, evacuated from outlying islands as the storm gathered strength on its approach.

Torrential rains and high winds are predicted across Taiwan from Monday afternoon as Dujuan nears the east coast, with landfall predicted around 11 pm.

Taiwan’s weather bureau upgraded Dujuan to a “Strong Typhoon” on Sunday – its top category.

However, other regional weather bureaus, including the Hong Kong Observatory, categorised it as a “Super Typhoon”, as it intensified to reach gusts of 227km/h

A concert by US rock band, Bon Jovi, due to take place in Taipei on Monday has been cancelled because of the storm.

A satellite image provided by the Central Weather Bureau at 11am on Monday shows the edge of Typhoon Dujuan starting to cover Taiwan's east coast. Photo: Central Weather Bureau

Dujuan was 270km off the coast of eastern Hualien County at 7am Monday. But by 11am on Monday a satellite imaage showed the large typhoon touching the edge of the island.

“It is due to exert influence from noon after the edge of Dujuan reaches the island,” an official at Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau said on Monday.

“The whole of the island should heighten vigilance against severe winds and torrential rains.”

Japan’s meteorological agency warned that it could trigger waves measuring 13 metres in height.

The storm is on course to hit mainland China from Tuesday, but is forecast to have weakened by then.

A man struggles with his umbrella as he crosses a street in Taipei. Photo: EPA

Dujuan has also passed near the Japanese island of Ishigaki as it approaches Taiwan.

So far there have been no reports of damage or injuries in connection with the typhoon.

Almost 3,000 people, most of them tourists, were evacuated from Taiwan’s Green Island and Orchid Island – both popular with visitors – on Sunday.

Authorities said on Monday they were planning more possible evacuations as they assessed the impact of heavy rains.

Taiwan’s local mountain communities are particularly at risk during typhoons, often hit by flooding and mudslides.

Some mountain communities still cleaning up after Typhoon Soudelor, which left a trail of destruction in Taiwan and eastern China last month.

Toppled trees and advertising signs also fell, damaging electricity lines and knocking out power to a record 4.3 million households.

It went on to kill 21 people in China.

Passengers sleep at the Taipei Songshan Airport in Taipei as most domestic and international flights are cancelled due to Typhoon Dujuan. Photo: EPA

It caused at least eight deaths in Taiwan as it flooded rivers, ripped up trees, and triggered landslides.

“A massive amount of rubble caused by the last typhoon is still seen on slopes and river beds,” the weather bureau said. “This may cause further damage.”

More than 24,000 troops are on standby for disaster relief and evacuations, with 100 shelters set up. Emergency response centres have been established in the north and east.

Big waves on the coast in Bitou Cape, New Taipei City. Photo: CNA

The storm threatens long-weekend plans for many people as Taiwan celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival.

High-speed rail services were also due to be suspended by mid-afternoon on Monday.

Ferry services to outlying islands have already been suspended and flights to and from the islands will stop from noon.

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