As Typhoon Bavi advances towards Taiwan, New Taipei City has initiated precautionary evacuations in several mountainous regions due to the looming threat of intense rainfall and potential landslides. Mayor Hou You-yi has instructed the evacuation of residents from high-risk zones, focusing primarily on Wulai District, where the likelihood of landslides is estimated to exceed 90%. The evacuations are mandated to be completed by 6 p.m.
Weather forecasts predict that the mountainous areas and the northern coastline of New Taipei could receive over 500 mm of rainfall through Saturday. Consequently, landslide alerts have been issued for several other districts, including Sanxia, Pinglin, Shiding, Xindian, Xizhi, and Shenkeng, as a precautionary measure.
As of Thursday afternoon, Typhoon Bavi was positioned approximately 650 km east of the southern tip of Taiwan, carrying maximum sustained winds of 162 km/h. In light of these developments, authorities are urging residents in the potentially impacted areas to stay alert and adhere to the evacuation and safety directives provided.
Officials emphasize the importance of taking these warnings seriously to ensure the safety and well-being of the local populations. The city’s preparedness measures are part of a coordinated effort to mitigate the impact of the typhoon as it approaches the island.