Isla Formosa vs. La Nina

Like many other places in the world being bombarded with stronger than usual weather patterns, Taiwan is getting its fair share.  This year’s 2008 Pacific typhoon season has been great for surfing, but not so good for the people of Taiwan.

If you check the records this year, out of 15 recorded NW Pacific storms, no less than 5 have made direct hits on Taiwan, closing down the island for days each time. The Taiwan CWB is claiming it all could be caused by the record strength of this year’s La Nina effect (unusually cool NW Pacific Ocean temperatures).

Every time a typhoon makes landfall in Taiwan, there is some sort of mayhem. This year had some extreme examples, with bridges and tunnels collapsing, massive flooding of roads and towns, and huge mudslides destroying highways, hotels, houses, even villages. 

 In September alone there have been 15 people killed, over 10 missing, and dozens of injured, including a bus of Buddhists overturned in 140 mph winds.           

The cost in damages is staggering too. According to local newspapers, the damage to crops and infrastructure caused this year totals around US$50million.  Before typhoon Sinlaku hit, the prices of locally grown fruit and vegetables rose up to 15%, and when the wind and rain had gone, stayed as it was!

So, even though us surfers here in Taiwan are stoked to see the charts light up with pumping swells, the fact remains that whatever surfing waves La Nina has given us, she always seem to take away more.

Pray for surf, pray for Formosa too.