Typhoon Danas makes landfall in Taiwan, thousands evacuated
A pedestrian uses an umbrella to shelter from the rain while crossing a road in Taipei on Nov 12, 2024. (Photo: AFP/I-Hwa Cheng)
TAIPEI: Typhoon Danas made landfall on the west coast of Taiwan late Sunday (Jul 6), the Central Weather Administration said, dumping torrential rain on the island that triggered flooding and landslides.
The storm struck land near the town of Budai in Chiayi county at about 11.40pm local time, with maximum sustained winds of 144kmh the weather agency said.
Danas was expected to sweep northwards along Taiwan's west coast overnight, according to the Central Weather Administration's latest advisory.
At least 28 people have been treated for minor injuries, according to the National Fire Agency.
Danas dumped more than 500mm of rain across southern Taiwan over the weekend, it said.
Most of the nearly 3,000 evacuated from their homes lived in mountainous areas around the southern port city of Kaohsiung, firefighters said.
At least 10 landslides were recorded and 49 areas flooded, but the water has since receded, it added.
Taiwan is accustomed to frequent tropical storms from July to October.
