Taiwan reports 5 injured, over 2,000 evacuated as Typhoon Bavi nears

Taipei, July 10 (CNA) The government on Friday reported five storm-related injuries and more than 2,000 evacuations as Typhoon Bavi approaches Taiwan, while urging the public to remain indoors with weather conditions projected to deteriorate into the night.

Taiwan has experienced intermittent rain and intensifying winds ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Bavi, with the storm's impact expected to peak from Friday evening through Saturday.

The Executive Yuan activated the Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) on Thursday to coordinate emergency preparations for the typhoon.

As of 2:30 p.m., the storm-related injuries reported included a woman in Kaohsiung who lost control of her scooter on a rain-soaked road and an individual in Hualien who was hurt when an awning collapsed during typhoon preparations, according to the CEOC.

The remaining cases occurred in New Taipei, Yilan County and Hsinchu City, with all five discharged from hospitals after treatment, the CEOC said.

CEOC commander and Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said that the storm's outer rainbands will reach Taiwan at 11 p.m. Friday, warning of landslides and flash floods in mountainous areas, and potential flooding in low-lying locations.

Liu also directed authorities to step up coastal enforcement to keep people away from the coast, while urging the public to cancel hiking or wave-watching trips, stay indoors, and take the necessary typhoon precautions.

Nationwide evacuations totaled 2,050 as of 2 p.m. This included 194 residents from Wanrung Village and Fenglin Township in Hualien due to downstream overflow risks from a barrier lake on the Wanli River, according to the CEOC.

Waves of up to 8.6 meters in height have been detected in southeastern waters, prompting swell warnings for coastal areas in the east and north, the Hengchun Peninsula and the Matsu islands.

Meanwhile, strong gusts of wind exceeding 118 kph (level 12) are expected in Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Yilan and outlying islands, posing a high risk of wind damage on Saturday, according to the CEOC.