Typhoon severely disrupts transport services

Typhoon Fung-Wong made landfall in eastern Taiwan on 28 July 2008, severely disrupting transportation services and causing widespread closures as the storm moved across the island nation. Severe winds and torrential rains are expected to continue as the storm barrels toward China's southeastern Fujian province. Authorities in Taiwan stated that most schools and offices have been closed while the Taiwan Stock Exchange completely shut down. Most road and railway traffic has come to a standstill and 56 international flights out of Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport (RCTP/TPE) have been canceled. The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) stated that all eastbound trains, including Taipei to Hualien, Taipei to Pingtung, and Kaohsiung to Taitun, as well as the entire eastern line, will be canceled. A flash flood alert is in effect for 425 rivers throughout the country. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, as of 0900 UTC, Fung-Wong has begun crossing the Taiwan Strait and is slated to make landfall over eastern China within 12 hours. The storm is expected to dissipate quickly after landfall. Currently Fung-Wong is located approximately 63 mi/102 km southwest of Taipei and has moved northwest at 8 kt/9 mph over the past six hours. The maximum sustained winds have been reported at 70 kt/81 mph, with gusts up to 85 kt/157 mph.