As Tropical Storm Danas closes in on Taiwan, the island nation has taken sweeping precautionary measures, including widespread ferry service suspensions, domestic flight cancellations, and travel schedule adjustments. These actions reflect both the seriousness of the storm’s threat and Taiwan’s proactive approach to natural disaster preparedness. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) confirmed the storm’s intensification on Saturday, with adverse weather conditions already impacting eastern and southern coastal areas.
Storm Overview and Forecast
As of 2 p.m. on Saturday, Tropical Storm Danas was positioned approximately 390 kilometers west-southwest of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan’s southernmost point. The storm is moving north-northeast at a speed of 8–11 kilometers per hour. It packs maximum sustained winds of 72 km/h and gusts reaching 101 km/h. A sea warning has already been issued, and a land warning is expected late Saturday night as the storm’s outer bands approach Taiwan’s coastline.
While Danas is not projected to make a direct landfall, the storm is expected to deliver widespread heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous sea conditions to southern and eastern Taiwan between Sunday and Monday.
Transportation Disruptions Across Taiwan
Ferry Service Cancellations:
- Kinmen County: Ferries operating under the “mini-three links” with China have been canceled. This includes:
- Shuitou Pier ↔ Shijing Pier (Quanzhou)
- Shuitou Pier ↔ Wutong Terminal (Xiamen)
- Lienchiang County (Matsu Islands):
- North-South Ferry Co. and Hsieh Ho Shipping have suspended operations from Sunday through Tuesday, halting routes to:
- Huangqi Port and Langqi Harbor in Fuzhou, China
- North-South Ferry Co. and Hsieh Ho Shipping have suspended operations from Sunday through Tuesday, halting routes to:
- Keelung ↔ Matsu Ferry (New Taima Ferry):
- Cancelled from Saturday evening through likely Monday evening due to worsening sea conditions.
- Pingtung County ↔ Liuqiu Island:
- Initially scheduled for Sunday, ferries were moved up to Saturday and then suspended entirely due to rising wave activity.
- Ferry operators affected: Taifu Ferry, Leuco Sapphire Shipping, Dongliu Ferry, Dafu Liuqiu Shipping, and Liu Xin Ferry.
Domestic Air Travel:
- UNI Airways and Mandarin Airlines canceled multiple domestic flights scheduled for Sunday.
- Travelers were urged to check flight status online and prepare for further cancellations depending on storm movement.
International Adjustments (Tigerair Taiwan):
- Flights to Okinawa, Macau, and Tokyo were moved up several hours on Sunday.
- The airline cautioned that schedules remain fluid and subject to last-minute weather-related changes or airport protocol updates.
Government Response and Public Safety
The Central Emergency Operation Center has been activated and is coordinating closures and public advisories. In addition to transportation, numerous national parks and mountain recreational areas have been closed, including:
- Kenting, Shuangliu, Hehuanshan, Aowanda, Dasyueshan, Basianshan, and Wuling.
Local officials have warned residents to avoid beaches, mountainous areas, and low-lying coastal regions, especially near the Hengchun Peninsula and southeastern counties such as Taitung and Hualien.
Analysis: Taiwan’s Efficient Disaster Management in Action
Taiwan’s swift action to cancel ferries and flights well in advance reflects lessons learned from previous typhoons. In the past, delayed decisions led to stranded travelers and logistical chaos. The coordinated, anticipatory approach by central and local authorities—combined with real-time updates from weather agencies and transport operators—highlights Taiwan’s robust disaster response infrastructure.
However, the economic cost will be notable, especially for tourism-heavy areas like Liuqiu Island and Kinmen, which rely on weekend traffic. Ferry and hotel cancellations will impact both large and small businesses.
FAQs
When is Tropical Storm Danas expected to impact Taiwan the most?
The storm will likely affect Taiwan’s southern and eastern regions from late Sunday through Monday morning, with its outer bands already bringing rain.
Are flights and ferries canceled across all of Taiwan?
No, cancellations are localized but extensive, particularly in Kinmen, Matsu, Liuqiu Island, and routes involving Keelung. Some flights are rescheduled or canceled based on region.
Is Taiwan issuing a land warning?
As of Saturday evening, a land warning is expected soon, depending on the storm’s progression.
Can I still visit national parks this weekend?
Most forest and mountain parks are closed from Sunday due to safety concerns.
Will these travel disruptions continue next week?
Possibly, depending on the storm’s path. Residents and travelers should monitor official updates regularly.
