Ferry operators and event organizers across the nation yesterday announced a slate of cancelations for this week as Typhoon Doksuri approached.
The Central Weather Bureau last night issued a sea warning for the typhoon and was expected to issue a land warning this morning.
Doksuri is expected to affect Taiwan the most tomorrow and on Thursday, as it approaches the nation’s southwestern coastal areas and heads for China.
In anticipation of typhoon-induced storm tides and waves, operators of passenger ferry services between Pingtung’s Donggang (東港) and Siaoliouciou Island (小琉球) announced that sailings would be suspended from tomorrow through Friday.
Ferries between Taitung and Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼) and Green Island (綠島), as well as those between Houbihu Harbor (後壁湖港) in Kenting (墾丁) and Orchid Island, are to be halted from today until Thursday, the Maritime Port Bureau said.
The Lienchiang County Government said that once a sea warning is issued for Doksuri, long-distance ferry services between Taiwan proper and Matsu would be halted, while intercounty sailings would be reduced.
Photo: CNA
Once a land warning is issued, flights between Taiwan and Matsu would be suspended, it added.
The Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration announced an immediate three-day closure of Turtle Island (Gueishan Island, 龜山島) as a precautionary public safety measure.
The Forestry Bureau said that Taipingshan National Forest Recreational Area and access roads to the area, including Provincial Highway No. 7, would be closed to the public from 4pm today.
The bureau added that the timing of the national park’s reopening would depend on the development of the typhoon.
A concert at the Zhiben Hot Spring Area scheduled for Thursday as part of the Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival has been rescheduled to Aug. 24.
Three Chinese Professional Baseball League games in Taitung County from today until Thursday have also been postponed to Oct. 17 to 19.
A fireworks show at Dadaocheng Summer Festival in Taipei set to be held tomorrow has been canceled.
Doksuri was upgraded into a typhoon from a tropical storm on Sunday evening, the bureau said.
As of 8pm yesterday, the center of Doksuri was 790km east-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, the bureau said, adding that it was packing maximum sustained winds of 155kph and gusts of up to 191kph.
Executive Yuan spokesman Lin Tze-luen (林子倫) said that Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) had instructed all ministries to be more vigilant in taking precautions against the typhoon.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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