TAIPEI: In a concerted effort, Taiwan has been working diligently to restore power to over 30,000 homes after Typhoon Haikui wreaked havoc in its southern and eastern regions.
As schools and businesses remained shuttered, and domestic airlines cancelled the majority of their flights, the island nation grappled with the aftermath of its first direct typhoon hit in four years.
Haikui made landfall on a fateful Sunday, initially striking the mountainous and thinly populated far southeast of Taiwan before progressing across the southern part of the island. The storm’s relentless force knocked out power for more than 240,000 households, according to the state-run utility provider Taipower. However, by the time Monday arrived, the situation had improved significantly, with fewer than 34,000 households still awaiting the restoration of electricity. Notably, about half of these households were situated in the eastern county of Taitung.
In response to the typhoon’s threat, authorities took preemptive measures to ensure the safety of the populace. Schools were cancelled, and businesses allowed their employees the day off in regions spanning southern, eastern, and central Taiwan. The capital city, Taipei, experienced sporadic gusty rain showers but largely remained operational.
One of Taiwan’s economic powerhouses, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), reported that its plants were operating normally and had remained unscathed by the storm’s wrath. This was reassuring news for the tech industry, which heavily relies on TSMC’s chip production.
Tragically, fire officials reported five injuries caused by the typhoon, with an ongoing investigation into the death of a man found by a roadside in Taitung to determine if it was storm-related.
In the realm of transportation, Taiwan’s domestic airlines took a significant hit, with 208 flights cancelled, leaving only a handful of flights still scheduled. Furthermore, ferry services to nearby islands were temporarily suspended. However, international flights experienced relatively less disruption, with just 23 cancellations reported by the Civil Aeronautics Administration.
