As Tropical Storm Danas edges closer to Taiwan’s southwest coast, the government has launched comprehensive emergency responses, including the preemptive closure of key mountain parks, coastal zones, and regional transportation lines. While not yet classified as a typhoon, Danas’ intensifying wind speeds and projected path have prompted urgent action from central and local authorities.
🌪️ Tropical Storm Danas Triggers Nationwide Precautions
At 2 p.m. Saturday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) located Danas approximately 390 kilometers southwest of Cape Eluanbi, moving north-northeast at speeds of 8–11 km/h. It recorded maximum sustained winds of 72 km/h and gusts reaching 101 km/h. The Central Emergency Operation Center convened its first meeting on Saturday, initiating multiple closures in high-risk zones.
The storm’s outer circulation is already impacting Taiwan’s weather patterns. Heavy rainfall is forecast for the eastern and southern regions from Sunday through Monday, with potential for flash floods and landslides in low-lying or mountainous areas.
🚧 Closures and Suspensions
To mitigate risk to the public, various agencies have enforced the following closures and service halts:
🏞️ National Forest Recreation Areas:
- Closed immediately: Kenting, Shuangliu, Tengzhi, and Fuyuan (the latter two due to prior damage).
- Closed starting Sunday: Hehuanshan, Aowanda, Dasyueshan, Basianshan, and Wuling.
🚆 Transportation:
- Alishan Forest Railway – service suspended from Saturday afternoon.
- Taipingshan Sightseeing Train – halted from 5 p.m. Saturday.
- Wulai Trolley – suspended from 8 a.m. Sunday.
🌳 Botanical and Coastal Areas:
- Fushan Botanical Garden (Yilan County) – closed on Sunday and Monday.
- Provincial highways – temporary closures may be enacted on routes No. 9, 18, 20, and 29 depending on storm severity.
⚠️ Risk Zones and Warnings
The government has particularly warned residents and travelers in the following areas:
- Hengchun Peninsula and low-lying coastal towns: Flash flooding and rough sea conditions expected.
- Eastern and southern Taiwan: Heavier precipitation likely, especially in Taitung, Hualien, Pingtung, and Chiayi.
- Mountainous areas islandwide: High risk of landslides, rockfalls, and trail collapses.
A land warning is anticipated by late Saturday, with rainbands intensifying and moving northward by early Sunday. As Taiwan’s mountainous topography often exacerbates rainfall-related disasters, authorities stress avoidance of unnecessary travel.
🌍 Why This Matters: Regional Climate Volatility
The arrival of Danas comes amid heightened climate activity in the western Pacific region, where sea surface temperatures have been anomalously high this year, fueling stronger storms. While Taiwan frequently experiences typhoons, the increasing unpredictability and frequency of such tropical systems place additional pressure on infrastructure and emergency preparedness systems.
The early response to Danas highlights Taiwan’s evolving disaster readiness strategy, focusing not just on typhoon-scale storms, but also those like Danas that pose compound risks through rain accumulation, coastal surge, and transportation disruption.
❓ FAQs
Is Tropical Storm Danas a typhoon?
No, as of Saturday, Danas is still classified as a tropical storm. However, it may intensify depending on sea and atmospheric conditions.
What areas in Taiwan are expected to be most affected?
Southern and eastern Taiwan, particularly Pingtung, Taitung, and Hualien, are projected to face heavy rain. Coastal and mountainous regions are also under alert.
Will Taipei and northern Taiwan be impacted?
While initial impacts are expected in the south, outer rainbands may bring thunderstorms and localized rain to the north by Monday.
Can I still visit national parks during the storm?
No. Multiple national and forest parks including Kenting, Hehuanshan, and Dasyueshan are closed. It’s unsafe and prohibited to enter these areas during closures.
What transportation services are affected?
Alishan Forest Railway, Taipingshan Sightseeing Train, and Wulai Trolley have suspended services. More suspensions are possible depending on rainfall and wind conditions.
