Typhoon Dan was downgraded to a tropical storm yesterday as it swept across the front-line island of Kinmen. Winds toppled power lines -- causing a blackout to the entire area -- and thousands of trees lining streets were uprooted.
Statistics issued by state-run Taipower indicated that nearly 70 percent of Kinmen's power lines were downed by trees.
Officials from the company said it could take as long as three days for power to be restored.
PHOTO: WU CHENG-TING, LIBERTY TIMES
Dan -- the most powerful typhoon of the season -- also caused damage to parts of southern Taiwan. In Kaohsiung city, powerful winds and waves burst a dike in the scenic tourist spot of Hsitzuwan (
Gale-force winds also swept through historic Tainan city, toppling an already earthquake-damaged dike at the mouth of Luerhmen River (鹿耳門溪).
On the island of Penghu, Dan toppled houses and sunk several fishing boats, forcing Makung airport to close for part of the day.
With heavy rains threatening further damage to quake-stricken areas, the Council of Agriculture yesterday released a new landslide warning. According to the report, there are at least 122 landslide sites located in disaster areas.
Officials from the council said rainwater flowing over landslides could turn them into gravel streams, endangering people living nearby.
As Dan made landfall on China's coast yesterday, the Central Weather Bureau lifted typhoon warnings for Taiwan last night.
Weather forecasters said Taiwan's weather system should stabilize within the next couple of days.
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