Taiwan Prepares For Direct Hit From Super Typhoon Nepartak

Sean Breslin
Published: July 6,2016

Taiwanese officials are preparing for the worst as the massive Super Typhoon Nepartak closes in on the East Asian island.
Defense minister Feng Shih-kuan told the China Post that the government has deployed 3,000 troops into areas susceptible to flooding across the country. They're expected to help with flood-control measures before, during and after the storm's arrival. A total of 35,800 troops were deployed countrywide to help with relief efforts, according to Taiwan News.
Ferry service from Taiwan's outer islands to the main island was suspended on Wednesday and was expected to remain closed until Saturday at the earliest, Taiwan News also reported. Several airlines had also canceled flights for Thursday, the report added.
(MORE: Check the Forecast for Nepartak)

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#Nepartak nearing peak intensity. Should weaken today/tomorrow before landfall on Taiwanhttp://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/ramsdis/online/loop_timestamp.asp?data_folder=himawari-8%2Fhimawari-8_band_13_sector_06&width=1020&height=720&ending_image=himawari-8_band_13_sector_06_20160706125000.gif&starting_image=himawari-8_band_13_sector_06_20160706090000.gif …

11:45 AM - 6 Jul 2016

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Despite the expected disruption to air travel, transportation minister Ho Chen Tan said he has every reason to believe Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport will not be flooded by the storm, he told Focus Taiwan. Anti-flood gates have been installed and other flood prevention measures are in place at the airport, he said.
The storm comes less than a month after flooding swamped the airport twice, angering the public and leading to accusations that the hub was poorly constructed and improperly maintained, the report added.
Schools won't be canceled Thursday, but some districts may choose to send children home after a half-day, according to a separate Focus Taiwan report.
Taiwan's eastern coast isn't as heavily populated as other regions of the country, but the jagged terrain raises the threat of mudslides and flooding in that area.
The name "Nepartak" comes from that of a Micronesian warrior.
MORE: Typhoon Melor - December 2015