Pouring rain and gusty winds brought by Typhoon Krosa assailed the nation yesterday, disrupting transportation and forcing hundreds of people to evacuate their homes.
The coast line of the Taiwan Railway Administration was shut down at 8:30am yesterday when the electric wire linking Tungshiau (通宵) and Yuanli (苑裡) was severed by a falling electricity tower, forcing trains to operate on the mountain line instead.
Express trains heading toward Ilan and Hualien counties before 6pm were all canceled.
PHOTO: AFP
High speed trains operating in the morning were delayed by 20 minutes to 30 minutes as inclement weather conditions forced the trains to slow down at some sections along the route.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp said in the afternoon that trains departing after 5pm had all been canceled.
The company intended to resume normal operations today at noon.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUN, TAIPEI TIMES
The Taipei City MRT and bus systems were in operation yesterday. However, because of strong winds, service on the Muzha Line, Xinbeitou Branch Line, Xiaobitan Branch and part of the Danshui Line was suspended from 3:30pm yesterday, the Taipei City Department of Transportation said.
Meanwhile, four inbound international flights and 30 outbound flights were canceled. More than 280 domestic flights suffered the same fate.
Strong winds felled wooden fences on the northeastern section of Taipei Songshan Airport yesterday morning.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUN, TAIPEI TIMES
The airport's two enclosing walls facing Binjiang Street (
As of press time, the typhoon had damaged six provincial highways, one farm road and 27 country roads.
Buffeted by winds, a container truck on the Formosa Freeway (National Freeway No. 3) flipped over and fell on the shoulder, killing a passenger and injuring another.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUN, TAIPEI TIMES
Foehn winds and a tornado were reported in Taitung County yesterday, as the local temperature climbed to 36.3oC.
As of 4pm yesterday, the National Fire Agency said 820 people had been told to leave their homes, including 176 residents from Dashi (
Additional reporting by Mo Yan-chih
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUN, TAIPEI TIMES
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also