Typhoon Bawei Leaves 134 Injured, Disrupts Power and Water Services Across Taiwan

Typhoon Bawei has largely passed Taiwan, with authorities reporting 134 injuries, primarily minor abrasions and fractures. The storm caused significant disruptions, affecting 247,558 households with power outages and 4,278 with water shortages. Power restoration is nearing completion, with only 3,273 households still without electricity, expected to be fixed by late tonight. Water service restoration is anticipated by 6 p.m. today.

The Central Emergency Response Center convened its ninth meeting, chaired by Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang, to assess the aftermath. Total reported damages reached 3,004 incidents, including fallen trees, damaged signs, and structural issues. Seventy-six shelters housed 1,628 individuals. Communication lines also suffered, with 10,364 landline households experiencing outages, expected to be repaired by tomorrow, and 145 mobile base stations damaged, 78 of which have been repaired.

Authorities are closely monitoring the Wanli Creek landslide dam in Hualien, which could overflow by July 15 if rainfall intensifies. No signs of seepage or internal erosion have been detected, with the primary concern being overflow damage. The situation is being continuously assessed based on water levels, dam stability, and weather forecasts. Meanwhile, the potential landslide dam at the Mataian Creek was deemed not to have formed, and a yellow alert was lifted.

Transportation services are gradually resuming. The Pingxi Line of the Taiwan Railways Administration restarted service at 9 a.m. today. Repairs are ongoing for a slope failure between Neiwan and Fugui stations, with full service expected to resume by 5 p.m. Other rail lines are operating normally.

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The situation is being continuously assessed based on water levels, dam stability, and weather forecasts.