Staff writer, with CNA
Taiwan yesterday stepped up preparations for Typhoon Bavi, suspending ferry services to outlying islands, closing tourist attractions, preparing traffic restrictions and offering flexible airline ticket changes.As of 2pm yesterday, Bavi was about 1,380km east-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, moving west-northwest at 17kph to 21kph, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.All ferry services in eastern Taiwan were suspended yesterday afternoon, the Maritime and Port Bureau said.
Swan boats at New Taipei City’s Bitan scenic spot are stationed on shore in an undated photograph.
Services could resume on Sunday, if the weather permits, it added.The Keelung-Matsu route is also to be suspended from today through Saturday, while routes linking Kaohsiung and Budai (布袋) with Penghu, as well as Donggang (東港) and Yanpu (鹽埔) with Siaoliouciou Island (小琉球) are to see partial or full suspensions over the same period, the bureau said.
The bureau urged travelers to return from outlying islands yesterday and today, and postpone nonessential trips to avoid being stranded.In Taitung County, ferry operators spent yesterday morning transporting tourists back from Green Island (綠島) and Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼) before afternoon services were canceled. Food and other daily necessities were rushed to the islands.The Coast Guard Administration said 86 people had been transported to Taitung County from the county’s islands, while 1,325 visitors remained on Green Island.At Fugang Fishing Harbor (富岡漁港), more than 10 fishing boat owners hired a crane to lift inflatable fishing rafts onto the shore to protect them from strong winds and waves, as previous typhoons had caused vessels to collide in the harbor.In Taitung, banana farmers rushed to harvest crops before the storm, while traditional markets and supermarkets reported an about 30 percent increase in shoppers stocking up on supplies.Authorities also announced the pre-emptive closure of Gueishan Island (龜山島) off Yilan County from today through Sunday, given expected high waves and strong winds.The Highway Bureau said it would closely monitor landslide-prone routes, including the Suhua (蘇花) and Beiyi (北宜) highways (part of Provincial Highway No. 9) and the Northern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway No. 7).The newly opened Danjiang Bridge (淡江大橋) on Provincial Highway No. 61 could face traffic restrictions if winds strengthen, the Highway Bureau said.Speed limits would be reduced if average wind speeds reach 62kph to 74kph, and the bridge closed if they reach 89kph to 102kph, it added.Meanwhile, China Airlines said it would waive ticket rebooking fees for flights scheduled between today and Saturday if changes are made by July 31, although normal refund rules would still apply.The Taipei City Government weather team said it expects the city to enter Bavi’s storm circle at about 8pm tomorrow, with the heaviest rain expected from tomorrow evening through Saturday evening.Officials warned of wind gusts of 133kph to 149kph and as much as 400mm of accumulated rainfall during the peak of the storm, with mountainous areas facing risk of extremely heavy rain.
