Taiwanese flee as super typhoon nears island

Evacuations stepped up after Dujuan swirled towards east coast

TAIPEI - Evacuations were stepped up in Taiwan on Monday as super typhoon Dujuan swirled towards the island, gathering strength on its approach to the east coast.

Torrential rains and high winds are forecast across Taiwan from Monday afternoon, with landfall predicted around 11:00 pm (1500 GMT). Crashing waves were already battering the northeastern coast by midday and fishing boats have been called back to shore. Taiwan’s weather bureau upgraded Dujuan to a “strong typhoon” on Sunday - its top category. Other regional weather bureaus, including the Hong Kong Observatory, categorised it as a “super typhoon” as it intensified to reach gusts of 227 kilometres (141 miles) per hour.

“The whole of the island should heighten vigilance against severe winds and torrential rains,” a spokesman for Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau said. Almost 3,000 people, most of them tourists, were evacuated on Sunday from Taiwan’s Green Island and Orchid Island - popular with visitors. Around 4,000 more were moved on Monday ahead of the storm. New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu said they were from vulnerable areas, including the hot spring town of Wulai, just outside Taipei.

“In areas that could become isolated during the typhoon, sufficient rescue and communications equipment will be deployed in advance. We hope residents can cooperate with us,” said Chu. 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. Dujuan was 170 kilometres off the coast of eastern Hualien County at noon Monday (0400 GMT).

The storm threatens long-weekend plans for many as Taiwan celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival. A concert by US rock band Bon Jovi due to take place in Taipei on Monday was cancelled, while 169 international and 59 domestic flights were also pulled. High-speed rail was due to be suspended mid-afternoon. Ferry services and flights to outlying islands have already been suspended.

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