Typhoon Intensifies: Taiwan Prepares
Tropical storm Nepartak intensified into a moderate level typhoon over the last 24 hours and tracked closer to Taiwan.
The Harbors Bureau announced a stoppage of ferry services on the east coast starting Wednesday July 6, when services will be limited to ferrying tourists on Green Island and Orchid Island back to Taiwan followed, by a full stoppage Thursday and Friday July 7 & 8. The first sea warnings are expected tomorrow.
On Taiwan’s west coast, oyster farmers still recuperating from losses due to last years Typhoon Soudelor hurried to harvest as much as they could before Nepartak hits. While the typhoon is forecast to affect the northern and northeastern parts of the island on Thursday, typhoons can sometimes veer from their predicted path.
While Taiwan, Japan, and US weather bureaus forecast the typhoon as passing north east of Taiwan, the Hong Kong Observatory predicted the typhoon would make landfall somewhere near Hualian and pass directly over the island.
Pomelo farmers only a month away from harvest used bamboo and rope to tie down branches laden with the large fruit.
At Taipei Taoyuan International airport large pumps were put in place and sandbags readied. Heavy rains in June twice saw airport operations affected by floods.
In Taiwan’s south, a damaged fishing vessel that is still undergoing forensic examination after being hit by a naval missile accidentally fired last Friday, is being prepared for towing to a naval dock in Kaohsiung before the typhoon hits.
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