Metro Manila, Philippines— Filipinos are safe in Taiwan as Typhoon ‘Gaemi’ (Philippine name: Carina) pummeled the self-governed island on Wednesday, July 25, the country’s liaison office said.
‘Gaemi’ hit Taiwan with maximum sustained winds of 240 kilometers per hour (kph) and moving at 20 kph.
The Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei reported that at least three people were killed and more than 220 were injured.
International and domestic flights were canceled and schools and offices were closed ahead of the storm’s expected landfall Wednesday night.
MECO said 8,570 people were temporarily relocated by authorities ahead of the typhoon.
“There were no reports of any incidents from our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). Our MWOs are closely in touch with FilCom Reps and the TMAs and have reminded them to report any incident relative to the typhoon,” MECO said in a statement.
The Migrant Workers Offices in Taiwan were informed that most of the companies follow the government’s declaration of work cancellation.
“For some companies with strict quota requirements, it is up to the worker to report to work, with overtime pay. In times like this, they closely monitor the movements of the workers through CCTV installed in the areas around the dorm,” the statement added.
Filipino student journalist Gino Lopez told NewsWatch Plus that weather in Taipei is improving
“Humupa na ang ulan ngayon, umaambon nalang, at bumabalik na sa araw-araw na pamumuhay mga tao,” said Lopez.
[Translation: Rains have subsided, just showers, and people have returned to their daily living.]
Lopez also gave details on the deaths of three people at the height of the typhoon.
“Nasawi sila dahil may nahuhulog na bagay tulad ng debris sa kanila dahil sa malakas na hangin,” said Lopez.
[Translation: They died from falling debris because of strong winds.]
“So far okay naman lahat. Mabuti ang naging preparations ng government dito, libo-libo ang naka standby,” he added.
[So far, everything is okay. The government prepared well, thousands were on standby.]
The typhoon is expected to make landfall again near Fuzhou, China, with strong winds and storm surge.
