At least four people died after Typhoon Nock-Ten pounded northern Taiwan with heavy rains and strong winds yesterday. Forecasters from the Central Weather Bureau said yesterday that the weather might turn mild today but lower temperatures are expected.
Beginning Sunday night, the weather in the nation had become affected by the passage of Nock-Ten. Bureau officials said that the typhoon landed on Toucheng in Ilan yesterday morning and left Taiwan from Tamsui in Taipei County at 1:15pm. Forecasters said that Nock-Ten changed its direction gradually toward the northeast.
PHOTO: TANG SHENG-YANG, TAIPEI TIMES
According to the bureau, Nock-Ten was centered at a position at sea 80km north of Taipei at 4pm yesterday, and will be 540km northeast of Taipei at 2pm today.
More than 5,300 foreign fishermen were allowed to shelter in harbors and buildings on land, according to the Cabinet's National Disaster Prevention and Relief Center.
In nine affected areas, blasts of wind blew shop signs and street lights to the ground and damaged trees. In northern Taiwan, the water surface of the Tamsui, Keeling, Dahan and Sindian Rivers exceeded alarming levels. Accumulated rainfall from midnight on Sunday to 5pm yesterday exceed 300mm in many places in Taipei and Taoyuan Counties, as well as Taipei City.
However, the worst situation was reported in Taipei County, where the Keelung River rose suddenly due to heavy rains.
As of press time, the Taipei County Government reported four deaths related to the storm. Rescuers recovered the body of a television reporter near a spillway tunnel in Rueifang. The body of fireman Chen Chih-hsiang (
Meanwhile, two residents of Shuangsi were drowned by floods while in their homes. In addition, in Wanli, a woman falling into a swollen river yesterday afternoon was reported missing.
The deaths resulting from the passage of Nock-Ten shocked high ranking officials. President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday afternoon inspected the Cabinet's disaster relief center, urging the establishment of crisis consciousness.
"Heavy rains in the north will continue, so government officials at all levels -- and residents -- have to be highly alert for possible disasters," Chen said.
Chen also said he was very sorry for the victims of the typhoon.
Yesterday morning, the Council of Agriculture (COA) issued landslide and mudflow warnings to residents in 52 areas in three townships in Taoyuan and Hsinchu counties. However, 507 residents of the three townships, including Wufeng, Janshih and Fuhsing, have been evacuated to 13 shelters since Sunday evening.
Taipei City Government yesterday distributed 360 water pumps for all boroughs to use. Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Around the country, a number of crop fields and aquatic farms in northern and eastern parts of Taiwan were washed away. In addition, many agricultural facilities were also ruined. According to the COA, estimated financial losses in the agricultural sector has reached NT$166.56 million as of yesterday.
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