The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) yesterday denied speculation by a TV broadcaster that two more typhoons — whose paths could trace that of Typhoon Soudelor — could form.
Facebook comments by Next TV weatherman Lee Fu-chen (李富城) were “hype,” bureau Director-General Shin Tzay-chyn (辛在勤) said, adding that the remarks were irresponsible and could cause unnecessary panic.
Lee said two typhoons would be headed Taiwan’s way, affecting the nation as early as Friday next week.
People should “hide in a ditch,” he said.
However, Shin said that it was too early to make such predictions, adding that there is indeed a massive depression over the Pacific Ocean, but its development would depend on numerous variables over the next seven to 10 days.
The nation was battered by torrential rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Soudelor on Friday night and Saturday.
As of yesterday, eight deaths, four people and 420 injured were reported nationwide. The Council of Agriculture estimated that agricultural losses amounted to nearly NT$2.3 billion (US$71 million).
The Ministry of Education reported that 2,006 schools sustained damage, with total damage estimated at NT$434 million.
New Taipei City was the most seriously affected (US$13.5 million), followed by Taichung (NT$62.22 million) and Kaohsiung (NT$54.97 million), ministry data showed.
Typhoon Soudelor also damaged 12,717 cellular base stations across the nation.
For the first time in more than 30 years, Taipei’s water supply became too turbid for drinking or even bathing purposes, because the Nanshih River (南勢溪), which supplies the Greater Taipei area, was muddied by landslides.
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