Typhoon Danas Leaves Thousands Without Power in Taiwan

Strong winds and heavy rain cause widespread disruptions in Chiayi.

Typhoon Danas made landfall in southern Taiwan early Monday, causing significant power outages for over 150,000 homes and businesses, particularly in the Chiayi region. The storm brought destructive winds and left a trail of damage in its wake.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported that the typhoon was downgraded to a tropical storm shortly after making landfall and has been weakening. The land warning, initially issued on Saturday, was lifted Monday morning as the storm's influence moved away from the island.

Danas officially touched down in Budai Township, Chiayi County, late Sunday night. The powerful winds associated with the typhoon led to widespread power disruptions affecting a substantial number of households and commercial establishments.

Taiwan Power Co. initiated immediate efforts to restore electricity. By Monday morning, approximately 20,000 buildings had their power supply successfully reinstated.

The typhoon's strong gusts caused considerable damage across Chiayi City, uprooting trees, toppling large signage, and dislodging rooftop structures on residential buildings.

Local authorities in Chiayi city and county mobilized personnel to clear debris from public streets, ensuring the safety and accessibility of roadways.

According to the CWA, wind gusts in Chiayi City reached level 14 on the Beaufort Scale, with speeds ranging from 150 to 166.6 kilometers per hour. Even more intense gusts, classified as level 17 (201.9-218.5 kph), were recorded in the neighboring Yunlin County.

A senior specialist from the CWA noted that this marks the first time a typhoon has made landfall in Chiayi since 1958, based on available data.