Taipei: Taiwan has initiated the evacuation of over 3,300 residents as Typhoon Phongwong approaches, following a land warning issued on November 11. Despite the storm's weakening to speeds of 120-150 kilometers per hour, heavy rainfall is anticipated, particularly in the mountainous regions and along the eastern coastline.
According to Thai News Agency, Typhoon Phongwong is projected to make landfall near Kaohsiung, Taiwan's principal port city, on November 12. The storm is expected to traverse the island's southwest before exiting into the Pacific Ocean near the less populated areas of Taitung and Hualien.
President Tsai Ing-wen has advised the public to avoid mountainous, coastal, and other high-risk zones. Concurrently, Hualien and Yilan provinces have mandated the closure of schools and government facilities. In Guangfu City, residents have been evacuated to mitigate the risk of flooding.
In the Philippines, the aftermath of the super typhoon has resulted in six confirmed fatalities, as officials continue to evaluate the extent of the destruction.
It is noted that the typhoon is not anticipated to impact Hsinchu, home to TSMC, the world's leading electronic chip manufacturer.