Typhoon Haikui made landfall in Taiwan on Sunday, bringing with it torrential downpours, accelerating winds, and plunging thousands of households into darkness. The storm, the first big one to hit the island directly in four years, had been brewing in the Pacific Ocean and had prompted authorities to evacuate more than 7,000 people from high-risk areas. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, and businesses closed in preparation for the storm.
As Haikui began to wreak havoc, residents huddled indoors, staying away from windows as strong gusts of wind sent fallen trees and dislodged water tanks flying through the air. “I think this time it’s serious,” said Chang Jhi-ming, a 58-year-old retired mechanic, as he viewed the chaos outside his window. “This is just beginning. The wind is just coming in, and you can see trees toppling already.”
The storm’s impact was immediate, with over 40 people injured, including at least two in the mountainous Hualien county when a falling tree hit a car. The central weather bureau confirmed that Haikui made landfall at 3:40 pm local time in coastal Taitung, a mountainous county in eastern Taiwan.
Throughout the day, the typhoon swept through the southern and eastern regions, causing widespread power outages, with more than 119,000 households losing electricity. However, by nightfall, more than half of these households had their power restored. Haikui weakened to “moderate intensity” by 9 pm, carrying sustained winds of about 126km/h, according to a central weather bureau forecaster.
As the storm made its way across Taiwan, authorities issued warnings of heavy rainfall in the mountains of Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, urged citizens to take precautions and avoid going out or engaging in dangerous activities.
Taiwan Braces for Typhoon Haikui’s WrathDespite the warnings, some residents ventured out to buy groceries and supplies, while others took shelter in underground parking garages. “I almost forgot what it’s like to be in a typhoon,” said Huang Jun-tong, a restaurant owner in Taitung, who had to tie down his sign advertising seafood to prevent it from being blown away. “What big winds!” he exclaimed.
The military had deployed soldiers and equipment, such as amphibious vehicles and inflatable rubber boats, to areas where the storm was expected to have the biggest impact. As Haikui continued to batter the island, residents remained vigilant, knowing that the storm still had the potential to cause landslides and rockfalls in surrounding communities.
Throughout the night, residents huddled together, waiting for the storm to pass. “It’s been a while since any typhoon landed here,” said Chen Hsin-kuang, 62. “Only today can you see such waves. A rare sight.” As the storm slowly began to subside, Taiwan breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful that the worst of the storm had passed, but still wary of the potential for further damage.