TAIPEI – Authorities remain on high alert as heavy rains continue to pose a threat, particularly in the already-vulnerable southeast.

According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau, the typhoon made landfall in Taitung County shortly after midday, moving westward at speeds of up to 36 kilometers per hour. The storm is expected to cross the southern third of the island before heading toward the Taiwan Strait and mainland China later today.
While strong winds and high waves have battered parts of southeastern Taiwan, significant rainfall had yet to materialize as of late afternoon, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the storm’s damage.
Areas most affected include regions south of the capital, Taipei, encompassing Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and several major industrial zones. Around a dozen flights to and from the southern part of the island were reported delayed or canceled.

In addition to potential flooding, the typhoon poses a serious threat to Taiwan’s agricultural sector. Typhoons often cause widespread damage to crops, especially in central Taiwan. Large swathes of central and southern regions have already suffered from torrential rains in recent weeks, leading to crop losses and prolonged power outages.