Several flights between S’pore and Fuzhou, Manila, Taipei cancelled due to Typhoon Gaemi
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Debris and damaged buildings are seen a day after heavy rains from Typhoon Gaemi hit Manila, on July 25.
PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE - Multiple flights between Singapore and cities affected by Typhoon Gaemi were cancelled or rescheduled on July 25, as the powerful typhoon heads towards southern China after sweeping past the Philippines and Taiwan on July 24.
According to Changi Airport’s website, two Xiamen Airlines flights between Singapore and Fuzhou on July 25 were cancelled.
Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province in south-eastern China, has suspended train services and put in place the second-highest flood warning alert level in anticipation of Gaemi’s arrival.
The typhoon is expected to dump torrential rain over vast swathes of China from July 25.
China’s Water Resources Ministry said the rain is expected to last until July 31.
The typhoon wreaked havoc in the Philippine capital of Manila
The police said on July 25 that the typhoon has left at least 20 people dead.
Philippine low-cost airline Cebu Pacific cancelled its flights between Manila and Singapore, as well as other cities, on July 25.
On its website, the airline said it is actively managing the situation despite operational and manpower challenges.
“The relentless rain has affected many of our employees and airport staff, and measures are being taken to provide necessary aid and assistance for them,” it said.
Just before midnight on July 24, Gaemi made landfall
It was the strongest typhoon to hit the island in eight years, said Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
Two Singapore Airlines flights between Singapore and Taipei on July 25 were retimed.
Budget carrier Scoot cancelled its TR897 flight, scheduled to depart Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport for Changi Airport at 1.30am on July 25. Four other flights to and from Taiwan on the same day were also delayed.
A Scoot spokesperson told The Straits Times: “Scoot has contacted affected customers to re-accommodate them onto alternative flights, where available. Affected customers may also request a full refund if they choose not to continue with their travel.”
Three Eva Air flights between Singapore and Taipei on July 25 were cancelled, while two China Airlines flights arriving from Taipei and Kaohsiung on July 25 were retimed, according to Changi Airport’s website.
At least two fatalities have been reported in Taiwan. A motorist in southern Kaohsiung city was crushed by a tree and a woman in eastern Hualien died after part of a building fell on her, reported AFP.
More than 200 people have been injured in the storm.
Early on June 25, Gaemi also sank a cargo ship – forcing its nine Myanmar crew members to abandon ship in life jackets – before barrelling west across the Taiwan Strait towards China.
