📌 Full Report: Taiwan Faces Direct Impact from Typhoon Danas as It Sweeps Up Western Coast
As of 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, Typhoon Danas has intensified significantly and is posing a severe weather threat to Taiwan’s western regions. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued multiple advisories, warning of extreme rainfall, dangerous wind gusts, and potential flooding and landslides as the storm sweeps northeast along the western coastline of the island.
🔍 Typhoon Status and Trajectory
- Location: 180 km south-southwest of Penghu
- Movement: Northeast at 21–27 km/h
- Sustained Winds: 126 km/h
- Wind Gusts: Up to 162 km/h
The typhoon, upgraded from a tropical storm earlier in the day, has not yet made direct landfall but is already significantly affecting Taiwan with its outer rainbands.
⛈️ Rainfall and Wind Alerts: Widespread and Severe
🚨 Extreme Torrential Rain Advisory (>500 mm/24hr):
- Hengchun Peninsula
🌧️ Torrential Rain (350 mm+/24hr or 200 mm+/3hr):
- Pingtung County
- Taitung County
- Mountain regions of Kaohsiung
🌊 Extremely Heavy Rain (200 mm+/24hr or 100 mm+/3hr):
- Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung
- Chiayi County and City
- Miaoli, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin
- Hualien County
🌦️ Heavy Rain (80 mm+/24hr or 40 mm+/hr):
- Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Keelung
- Hsinchu City and County, Yilan County
- Penghu County
💨 Wind Risk: Gusts Up to 150 km/h
- Penghu is expected to face wind gusts of up to 150 km/h overnight into Monday.
- Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan coastal areas may experience gusts up to 118 km/h.
- Power outages and damage to light structures are possible.
🛣️ Transportation and Infrastructure Measures
- Alishan Highway in Chiayi: Closed from 6 p.m. Sunday
- Central Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 8): Potential closure pending slope stability checks (April 2024 earthquake impact)
- Rail Services: May be impacted; updates pending based on rainfall accumulation.
🌄 Landslide and Mudslide Risk
The Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation identified:
- 188 potential mudslide areas
- 8 potential large-scale landslide sites
Located primarily in: - Kaohsiung
- Chiayi County
- Pingtung County
- Taitung County
Residents in mountainous and river-adjacent areas are urged to evacuate if conditions worsen.
📣 Government Response and Recommendations
The Central Emergency Operation Center has been activated. Local governments are:
- Mobilizing flood rescue teams
- Deploying sandbags and pumps to low-lying regions
- Releasing updated alerts via official apps and SMS systems
Recommendations for citizens:
- Stay indoors unless absolutely necessary
- Avoid coastal roads and hiking trails
- Monitor CWA updates and local emergency broadcasts
- Stock food, water, medication, and emergency power supplies
🧠 Insight & Analysis
Typhoon Danas arrives at a critical moment when Taiwan is already recovering from previous infrastructure damages caused by the April 2024 earthquake. The continued risk of landslides in mountainous areas underlines a vulnerability in Taiwan’s topography during typhoon season. Additionally, the rapid intensification of Danas echoes the growing pattern of stronger, more erratic tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific—a phenomenon increasingly tied to warming ocean temperatures.
Preparedness, early warnings, and community response will be pivotal in ensuring safety and minimizing disruption as the storm passes through.
❓FAQs
Will Typhoon Danas make landfall in Taiwan?
As of now, it’s uncertain. The storm is tracking along the western coast, but landfall remains possible depending on future shifts.
How long will the typhoon affect Taiwan?
The most severe impact is expected from Sunday through late Monday night, after which the storm may move out or weaken.
Are schools or businesses closed?
Local governments will issue closure notices based on updated storm conditions. Follow municipal announcements closely.
What should residents prepare for?
Strong winds, potential power outages, flash floods, and landslides. Stock essentials, charge devices, and stay alert.
How do I check if my area is under warning?
Visit the Central Weather Administration (www.cwa.gov.tw) or download the “Taiwan Weather” app for real-time alerts.
