Typhoon Dujuan Turns Deadly in Taiwan; Ryukyu Islands, China Endure Wind, Rain

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

September 30,2015; 11:14PM,EDT

 

 

Once-Typhoon Dujuan had a deadly and devastating history as it pounded Japan's Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan and eastern China.
The system first made landfall in Yilan County, Taiwan, late Monday afternoon local time and made a second landfall in eastern China Tuesday morning local time.

WATCH: Violent Typhoon Dujuan Smashes Into Taiwan

At least two people died and more than 300 were injured as a result of the typhoon striking Taiwan, the Associated Press reported.
Prior to reaching Taiwan, Dujuan strengthened into a powerful typhoon with winds equal to that of a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. Interaction with Taiwan weakened the tropical cyclone significantly before a second landfall in China on Tuesday.
Despite weakening, Dujuan made landfall in the province of Fujian, China, as a typhoon with winds near 120 km/h (75 mph). Dujuan is on track to merge with a non-tropical system as it delivers its final blow to Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Powerful Wind Batters Taipei During Typhoon Dujuan

Rainfall of 75-170 mm (3-7 inches) was common from Xiamen, China, northward to Rui'an as Dujuan moved inland across China.
China Xinhua News reports that Dujuan caused economic losses of 1.4 billion yuan ($250 million U.S.) in eastern China. Nearly 1 million people were affected, along with 57,000 hectares (nearly 141,000 acres) of farmland in the provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang.
No deaths or injuries have been reported in China, according to Xinhua.
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The far southern Ryukyu Islands faced the full fury of Dujuan Monday as the core of the typhoon brought wind gusts over 160 km/h (100 mph) to the Yaeyama Islands. Winds peaked at 291 km/h (181 mph) in Yonagunijima, one of the strongest wind gust ever reported in Japan. This comes on the heels of typhoons Goni and Soudelor slamming similar areas over the past two months.
Winds peaked at 246 km/h (153 mph) in Su'ao Township, Taiwan, as Dujuan made landfall Monday evening local time. Even though the typhoon weakened as it crossed the rugged terrain of Taiwan, strong wind gusts are still possible across much of the island, especially the north half through Tuesday.
Rainfall surpassed 700 mm (around 28 inches) in parts of northern Taiwan as the powerful typhoon lashed the island from Monday into Tuesday.

A couple walks through fallen trees from Typhoon Dujuan in the business district of Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Typhoon Dujuan lashed through Taiwan late Monday, leaving hundreds of thousands without power or water. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)
Taipei was lashed with winds over 70 mph for several hours along with rainfall in excess of 225 mm (9 inches) at the international airport. Meanwhile, eastern parts of the city have reported in excess of 600 mm (24 inches) of rain.
Contributions by Meteorologists Adam Douty, Jordan Root and Kristina Pydynowski.