TAIPEI—Taiwan braced for Typhoon Bailu on Friday, prompting cancellations of domestic flights amid warnings of floods and high seas on the island.
Typhoon Bailu, categorized at the weakest typhoon level by Taiwan’s weather bureau, was expected to approach off the island’s southeastern coast early on Saturday, Aug. 24. It was moving across the ocean in a northwesterly direction at 24 km per hour (15 mph), weather officials said.
【Domestic/19:20】From August 24 to 25, JAL Group flights to/from Sakishima Islands may experience irregular operations due to typhoon Bailu. https://t.co/IX8PZyxYud
— JAL Flight Info (@JALFlightInfo_e) August 23, 2019
【Domestic/19:20】Please check the following link about Special Ticket Handling caused by typhoon Bailu. https://t.co/1SfLJEE2Us
— JAL Flight Info (@JALFlightInfo_e) August 23, 2019
Bailu was carrying maximum winds of 126 km per hour (78 mph) as it approaches Taiwan, the weather bureau said, adding that the storm could gain in strength and become the first typhoon to make landfall on the island in more than two years.
Thousands of people were moved to safety, most of them tourists on islands off the east coast, while dozens of domestic flights and ferry services were canceled. Some 34,000 soldiers were deployed in the south amid fears of floods.
Due to typhoon Bailu, Passengers are advised to check flight status before going to the airport >> https://t.co/qIRwrtvcxw pic.twitter.com/9GwAF9A5MI
— Taoyuan Airport (@taoyuanairport) August 23, 2019
The bureau issued wind and rain warnings for southeastern Taiwan, and other southern counties were expected to be included in the warnings later in the day. It also put out a warning to seafarers.
After passing over Taiwan, the typhoon is expected to cross the Taiwan Strait and hit the Chinese province of Fujian, forecasters said.
#TyphoonBailu continues to gain strength in the Western Pacific Ocean as the storm is all set to make landfall over #Taiwan during the morning hours of Saturday. #China #Bailu #InengPHhttps://t.co/VLOMJvFptb
— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) August 23, 2019
Typhoons regularly hit Taiwan, China, the Philippines and Japan in the second half of the year, gathering strength from the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean or South China Sea.
Typhoon Morakot devastated the island in 2009, killing nearly 700 people, most of them in landslides.
By Yimou Lee
