Asia/Pacific News
Shipping, Bunkering Disrupted by Taiwan Typhoon
Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau has said a severe weather warning for Typhoon Saola is still in effect after it hit landfall Thursday morning.
The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau's sea warning area covers the seas of North Taiwan, Northeast Taiwan, and Southeast Taiwan, the North Taiwan Strait, South Taiwan Strait, and the Bashi Channel.
There were reports of severe disruption to shipping and bunkering operations in Taiwan, with all ports except Kaohsiung in the west coast of the country closed with cargo operations suspended.
Typhoon Saola hit landfall early Thursday near the port of Hualien and was expected to pass near the northern port city of Keelung with sustained winds of 118 km/h and gusts of 155 km/h being reported.
The Typhoon is moving at a relatively slow speed of 12 km/h meaning the heavy rains currently being experienced are expected to last through the weekend.
Local television footage has shown roads blocked by mudslides and rail transport throughout the island also disrupted.
Earlier in the week, Typhoon Saola caused flooding from torrential rain in the Philippines, with an official with the National Disaster Coordinating Center telling news service CNN Thursday there had been 23 fatalities and 129 people, mostly fishermen, had been rescued.
