FLIGHTS SCRAPPED, SCHOOLS SHUT
All domestic flights were cancelled on Wednesday – 252 in total – while 155 international flights were also called off, the transport ministry said.
Taiwan’s two main international carriers China Airlines and EVA Air said their cancellations were focused on routes out of Kaohsiung, with some flights from the island’s main international airport at Taoyuan stopped as well.
In response to queries from CNA, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said flight SQ877 was cancelled on Wednesday due to the flight crew “exceeding their regulatory flight time limits” as a result of the delayed inbound aircraft into Taiwan.
The airline is also providing necessary assistance to the affected passengers, including “providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodation and the rebooking of connecting flights”.
SQ876, which was heading to Taipei, was diverted to Hong Kong International Airport due to “adverse weather conditions” caused by the typhoon. The flight landed subsequently departed and landed in Taiwan.
Additionally, Scoot on Wednesday said flight TR877 which was originally scheduled to depart Taipei for Singapore at 4.30pm local time had been cancelled as a precautionary measure due to “inclement weather” caused by Typhoon Podul.
The airline said it was assisting to reaccommodate affected customers onto subsequent flights where available.
“Alternatively, affected customers may also request for a full refund if they choose not to continue with their travel,” Scoot said. It added that it would continue to monitor the situation and adjust its flight schedules as necessary.
Nine cities and counties announced the suspension of work and school for Wednesday, including the southern metropolises of Kaohsiung and Tainan.
More than 134,500 households have suffered power outages.
High-speed rail services on the west coast have been reduced, while train services in the southeast have been cancelled.
Many ferry services have also been suspended, and businesses and schools across the south are closed.
More than 31,500 soldiers were ready to assist in rescue and relief efforts, disaster officials said.
The CWA expects mountain areas in Kaohsiung and Tainan could be hit with a cumulative 400 to 600mm of rain from Tuesday to Thursday.
More than a year’s rainfall fell in a single week this month in some southern areas, unleashing widespread landslides and flooding, with four deaths.
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