Local Taiwan tourism representatives say there’s no need for travellers to panic over Typhoon Dujuan, which has been raining over the country for the last two days.
Thousands of locals and travellers were evacuated from certain parts of the country yesterday as the storm made its way to land with winds of up to 231 kph and heavy rain.
However, Pearl Lee, Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s Marketing Representative Australia & NZ, told KarryOn that the typhoon is only medium size and the evacuations were only a precaution to ensure safety.
She explained that during this time of the year, Taiwan and its Asian neighbours are prone to experiencing heavy rain and are equipped to handle its force.
Super typhoon Dujuan kills two, injures hundreds in Taiwan http://t.co/F7JD1P4UlR pic.twitter.com/fvxUlAq09D
— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) September 29, 2015
“It is a medium class typhoon and our buildings, especially the newer ones are capable of handling the strong winds.”
Pearl Lee, Taiwan Tourism Bureau Marketing Representative Australia & NZ
Lee continued, saying that while she expects a few trees to be knocked down and older buildings to experience some damage, she expects the storm will ‘come and go’ with minimal impact just like others before it.
So far, two people have been killed by the storm and around 1.8 million homes have lost power.
. @EarthUncutTV Amazing scope of flood water release in northern Taiwan as a result typhoon Dujuan. pic.twitter.com/RyJcDCekCE
— Lesa Ducksworth (@Fleur_de_Lesa) September 29, 2015
Taiwan’s government has also advised all residents to stay indoors today and has declared it a national day off. All school and work has been cancelled to ensure locals have no reason to be out on the street.
If you have any clients heading to Taiwan, they can check weather updates on Taiwan Tourism’s website, which is available in English.
Airlines are also closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled around 50 flights over the past couple of days.
