Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau reported on October 4, 2024 that Typhoon Santolo has weakened into a tropical depression early on the 4th. According to statistics from the Central Emergency Response Center, the typhoon has caused 2 deaths, 1 missing person, and 667 injuries.
The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan stated that based on actual observation data, the tropical depression Santolo is currently located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Kaohsiung, with its center lingering and slowly moving south, and the threat to areas south of Yunlin, Nantou, Hualien, and Taitung has been lifted.
According to the statistics from the Central Emergency Response Center, the typhoon has resulted in 7,402 incidents of disasters, with 2,380 being resolved. There have been 2 deaths, 1 missing person, and 667 injuries reported. Search and rescue efforts for the missing individuals are ongoing. Across Taiwan, there were a total of 109,588 households experiencing power outages, with 97,900 households restored and 18,798 households still without power. There are 19 base stations awaiting repair and 780 landline connections awaiting restoration. There were 48 instances of flooding across Taiwan, with waters receding in 41 areas while 7 areas are still inundated, including 3 areas in Keelung, 3 in Yilan, and 1 in Hualien.
The Taiwan Central Disaster Response Center convened its 16th working session today, where Deputy Commander and Deputy Minister of Transportation Chen Yanbo of the Ministry of Transportation stated that the typhoon warning for Santolo has been lifted. However, the eastern and southern regions continue to experience rainfall due to the influence of the tropical depression. To assist local governments in post-disaster recovery efforts, the Central Disaster Response Center will remain open to ensure the prompt return to normalcy for the public.
Chen Yanbo instructed that on the night of the 3rd, requests for support in manpower, vehicles, equipment, and disinfectants were made by Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Hualien County, and Keelung City. The Ministry of National Defense, the National Land Agency, and the Ministry of the Environment are urged to provide full assistance, and proactive coordination with local governments is emphasized to offer necessary support at any time.
Moreover, Chen Yanbo mentioned that most counties and cities have resumed work and school activities today. The Ministry of Education will assess the impact of the disaster on schools in each county and city, and promptly assist in cleaning up campuses to ensure a safe return to education.
Chen Yanbo emphasized that there remains a probability of localized heavy rainfall in the mountainous areas of eastern, southern, and northern Taiwan. Following days of heavy rain, the soil and water content in the mountains and slopes have reached saturation levels. The news dissemination team is urged to continue informing the public through the media to minimize outdoor activities in mountainous regions.
Furthermore, Chen Yanbo highlighted the ongoing disaster risk in mountainous and landslide-prone areas. The intelligence analysis team is urged to provide all necessary information to local governments, while the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and livestock team and transportation engineering team are instructed to maintain monitoring of high-risk disaster areas in mountainous and slope regions. Local governments are reminded to enhance disaster prevention measures and activate relevant response mechanisms in a timely manner without being complacent.
Chen Yanbo stressed the need for the health, sanitation, and environmental protection team to supervise local governments to enhance environmental cleanliness and disinfection, swiftly eliminating standing water and debris in outdoor containers to prevent breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes and the spread of infectious diseases such as dengue fever. The team responsible for sheltering and relocation is directed to continue overseeing the implementation of preventive evacuation operations by county and city governments to ensure the safe accommodation and relocation of the public, with a mandate for local governments to confirm the safety before allowing people to return home.
Regarding the significant losses to agricultural crops in central and southern Taiwan due to consecutive days of heavy rainfall, and the impact on vegetable prices, the agriculture department of the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and livestock team is tasked with monitoring market conditions and demand, releasing frozen vegetables and fruits in a timely manner to stabilize prices, and meet the needs of the people.
The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan stated that today, the northern sea and the Taiwan Strait are experiencing strong winds and waves with wave heights of 3 to 5 meters. There are still long waves in various sea areas near Taiwan and outlying islands, so people are advised to avoid activities by the sea.
Land-based strong wind warnings: Today, Matsu and Penghu are prone to gusts of 9 to 10 on the Beaufort scale, while the coastal areas from Taichung to Tainan, as well as open spaces from New Taipei to Miaoli, could also experience strong gusts.