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TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Taiwanese government has ordered the evacuation of more than 8,300 residents and suspended schools, offices, and transport services as Tropical Storm Fung-wong moves closer to the island, threatening to bring torrential rain, destructive winds, and widespread flooding.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued land and sea warnings for southern and eastern Taiwan late Wednesday, warning that the storm could unleash rainfall exceeding 400 millimetres in mountainous areas and winds strong enough to cause landslides and coastal flooding. Officials cautioned that rivers in several regions were at risk of overflowing.
Fung-wong, which earlier lashed the Philippines with typhoon-force winds and heavy rain, weakened slightly as it moved northward but remains a dangerous system. As of Thursday morning, the storm was located about 250 kilometres southeast of Taitung County, moving northwest at a speed of 18 kilometres per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometres per hour.
Local governments in Taitung, Pingtung, and Hualien have ordered residents in low-lying and coastal areas to move to higher ground. More than 100 emergency shelters have been opened across the affected regions, and nearly 2,000 soldiers have been placed on standby for rescue and relief operations.
The Ministry of Education announced the closure of schools in at least nine counties, while businesses and government offices in several cities have suspended operations until the storm passes. Ferry services to outlying islands have been cancelled, dozens of domestic flights grounded, and rail operators have warned of potential delays and service disruptions.
President Lai Ching-te held an emergency meeting with the National Disaster Prevention and Protection Council on Wednesday night, calling for “full preparedness and unified coordination” among agencies. “We must prioritise the safety of citizens,” Lai said. “Every precaution must be taken to prevent casualties and property loss.”
Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operation Center has raised its alert level to the highest tier, urging residents to secure loose items, stock up on essential supplies, and stay indoors during the storm’s peak. Meteorologists predict the heaviest rainfall will occur from Thursday night into Friday morning, particularly along Taiwan’s eastern and southern coasts.
Fung-wong is expected to skirt along Taiwan’s southern edge before veering toward the East China Sea by late Friday. However, forecasters warned that if the storm shifts slightly north, it could make a partial landfall, increasing the risk of severe flooding in urban areas, including Kaohsiung and Tainan.
Taiwan experiences an average of three to four major typhoons or tropical storms each year, though officials note that the 2025 typhoon season has been unusually active due to warmer ocean temperatures in the western Pacific.
Emergency officials urged the public not to underestimate the storm. “Even if Fung-wong does not make direct landfall, the outer rain bands could still cause dangerous flooding and landslides,” said Wu Der-rong, a senior meteorologist with the CWA.
As the island braces for impact, residents have stocked up on food, water, and batteries, while utility companies have deployed crews to quickly respond to power outages. The government has also coordinated with telecommunications providers to ensure uninterrupted emergency communications throughout the storm’s duration.
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