TAITUNG (TVBS News) — Typhoon Haikui made its second landfall in Kaohsiung on Monday morning (Sept. 4) and continues to wreak havoc across Taiwan, leaving at least 44 injured.
Haikui made landfall in Taitung County's Donghe Township at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 3), marking the end of a 1,471-day streak without a typhoon's landfall in Taiwan.
The last typhoon to land in Taiwan was Severe Typhoon Bailu on Aug. 24, 2019.
According to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Haikui's center was located near the coastal area of Kaohsiung and Tainan on Monday morning. It made its second landfall in Kaohsiung at 4 a.m. and is slowly veering away from Taiwan in a west-northwest direction.
Hualien, Taitung, cities, counties south of Taichung, and Penghu are still under the influence of its peripheral circulation, prompting caution against strong winds and localized torrential rain.
Haikui has caused widespread damage across Taiwan. Some parts of Taitung County experienced strong winds that reached Level 16 on the Beaufort scale on Sunday. The gusts have blown away many signs and even flipped over a 17-ton freezer car.
Intense winds from Haijui damaged power lines, causing power outages that affected over 240,000 households in the east and south.
As of 10 a.m., Monday, more than 10,000 households in both Taitung and Kaohsiung are still without electricity. Taiwan Power Company is working diligently to restore power for those affected.
Although the CWB forecasted that Haikui's strength will weaken, it is advised to stay vigilant as its impact may still linger.