Meanwhile, the number of rural townships facing a high risk of mudflows has increased to 46, in six cities and counties, the Council of Agriculture reported yesterday.
In anticipation of continuing downpours triggered by Typhoon Haima, the council's Soil and Water Conservation Bureau issued an emergency notice yesterday, calling for red alert in 46 rural townships located in Taipei, Keelung and the counties of Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli against mountain torrents, landslides and mudflows.
As of noon yesterday, a total of 855 residents, mostly in mountainous areas, had been forced to evacuate their homes and head to temporary shelters set up by local governments, the Executive Yuan's Central Disaster Prevention and Relief Center reported.
Also as of noon yesterday, a total of 322 fishing boats had been granted permission to enter fishing ports around northern Taiwan to anchor, with a total of 3,100 fishermen and crew members taking shelter.
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