TAIPEI — Typhoon Danas swept through southern Taiwan on Monday with powerful winds and torrential rain, killing two and injuring over 330 in a rare west coast landfall that brought much of the island to a standstill.
Unlike most typhoons that hit Taiwan’s mountainous east, Danas made landfall on the densely populated southwestern coast late Sunday before weakening as it moved north toward the Taiwan Strait. It’s expected to reach eastern China later this week.
President Lai Ching-te described the storm as highly unusual, warning that the entire island would be affected. “This typhoon’s path is rare,” he posted on Facebook, urging residents to prepare for ongoing wind and rain.
Over 500,000 homes lost power, and more than 300 flights were canceled. The island’s high-speed rail scaled back operations, while government data reported record-breaking wind gusts of up to 220 km/h in Yunlin County. Falling trees and toppled signs caused widespread disruption in western Taiwan.
Two deaths have been confirmed — one driver was killed by a fallen tree, and another person died when a respirator failed during a blackout.
Despite the intensity, no major damage was reported at the Tainan Science Park, home to key tech firms like TSMC.
In mainland China, authorities in Zhejiang province have raised their emergency alert to the second-highest level. As of Monday morning, ferry services and 181 construction projects, including wind farms, were suspended as Typhoon Danas moves toward the coastline between Taizhou and Fuzhou. Landfall is expected late Tuesday.