Typhoon Danas kills two, injures hundreds in Taiwan
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South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong tenants endure 40 degree heat in substandard housing
Recent reports indicate that temperatures in substandard housing in Hong Kong climbed to as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) over the past week. Additionally, a concern group found that around 40 per cent of tenants living in these substandard homes reported having poor-quality windows or no windows at all. The results came from two studies published by the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) on Sunday, with the group calling on authorities to offer subsidies so tenants could buy cooling products. SoCO also said that the living conditions of low-income families were unlikely to improve until regulations governing the standards for subdivided flats were fully implemented in 2030. 'That means the residents still have years to endure. Can the government offer some subsidies, such as coupons, to residents for purchasing cooling products?' said Sze Lai-shan, the group's deputy director. 'The government can also subsidise their utility fees. We think the subsidy should be at least HK$200 [US$25] per person each month.' The subsidies could cover products such as air conditioners, fans and heat-reduction curtains, among others, she suggested. The government is set to present the relevant bill at the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Should Hong Kong schools continue virtual lessons during weather-related school closures? Under the proposed legislation, such properties must fulfil a set of standards to become accredited 'basic housing units', such as having a minimum size of 86 sq ft and proper windows, and remain on the rental market. The bill is expected to pass by the end of October, meaning landlords can start registering their properties under the policy as early as next March and enjoy a grace period until the end of February 2030 to rectify any outstanding property issues. The two SoCO studies published on Sunday included a survey of temperatures recorded by tenants living in 11 cage homes, subdivided flats and other forms of substandard housing across the city between Monday and Saturday of last week. The highest recorded temperature was 40 degrees, with the reading taken on Saturday by a tenant living in a metal hut in Yuen Long. A subdivided rooftop home in Kwun Tong clocked mercury readings of 39 degrees. The Hong Kong Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees at its headquarters that day. The second study involved interviews with 300 people between May and July about their living conditions in subpar housing amid the heat. Campaigners have urged the government to offer subsidies to those living in substandard housing so they can buy appliances to help keep them cool. Photo: Dickson Lee According to the survey, 35.7 per cent of tenants said that opening their windows was not an option because they faced lightwells that lacked air circulation, among other reasons, while another 4 per cent did not have any windows in their homes. More than 77 per cent of tenants said they were reliant on air conditioners or fans to keep themselves cool. About 42 per cent of all interviewees also said they opted for a shower to keep cool, and about 36 per cent opened their windows for better ventilation. The survey also found that 72 per cent of tenants were worried about the strain on their finances caused by the heat amid reduced income and subsidies, while 68 per cent of all interviewees said they believed that low-income families' utility bills would inevitably increase.
RTHK
15 hours ago
- RTHK
Two killed as typhoon lashes Taiwan
Two killed as typhoon lashes Taiwan Parts of Tainan are flooded after Typhoon Danas hits Taiwan. Photo: AFP Typhoon Danas has brought heavy winds and torrential rains to parts of Taiwan, killing two people and injuring more than 300 on the island's densely populated west coast. The typhoon lost intensity and was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves across the Taiwan Strait. Danas knocked out power for more than 580,000 households, and schools and offices were closed across southern and central parts of Taiwan. The typhoon made landfall on the west coast late Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 144 kph. It dumped more than 60 centimetres of rain in places, causing landslides and flooding. Two deaths were reported in the southwestern city of Tainan. One person died when a vehicle was struck by a falling tree, while another died after his respirator malfunctioned due to losing power. At least 334 people suffered injuries, while more than 3,400 people were forced to evacuate, mostly from mountainous areas around the southern port city of Kaohsiung. It is expected to make landfall again along the coast between Taizhou in Zhejiang province and Fuzhou in neighbouring Fujian province on Tuesday. Zhejiang on Monday morning raised its typhoon emergency response to Level III. Zhejiang has urged all coastal regions and departments to closely monitor the storm's path and implement prevention measures in line with its contingency plan. These include sheltering ships, suspending sea routes and halting construction projects. Authorities in Guangdong province, meanwhile, called hundreds of vessels to port and evacuated more than 2,000 people from offshore facilities. Danas earlier intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines' northern mountains, flooding low-lying villages and forcing more than 3,000 people to flee to emergency shelters. (AP/Xinhua)
The Standard
15 hours ago
- The Standard
Typhoon Danas kills two, injures hundreds in Taiwan
A man walks among utility poles knocked down during Typhoon Danas in Tainan on July 7, 2025. (AFP)
