Typhoon Danas Exposes Vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s Emergency Preparedness Amid Heavy Toll

Typhoon Danas ravaged Taiwan’s densely populated west coast early Monday, knocking out power for more than half a million households, forcing mass evacuations, and causing tragic loss of life. The storm’s destructive path exposed glaring weaknesses in local disaster preparedness and infrastructure that demand immediate scrutiny. Despite being downgraded to tropical storm status as it moved into the Taiwan Strait, Danas brought sustained winds reaching 144 kph (89 mph) and torrential rains exceeding two feet in some areas. These conditions resulted in severe flooding, landslides, and widespread damage across southern and central Taiwan. The National Fire Agency reported two deaths:...