If Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan, or portions of eastern China are in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather.

Taiwan and China Brace for Impact by Super Typhoon Nepartak

Super Typhoon Nepartak is currently heading in a northwesterly direction towards the northern half of Taiwan; and the impact expected anywhere between late Thursday night or early Friday morning could be devastating, with dangerous seas, torrential rains, damaging winds, flash flooding and mudslides as the sustained winds of 173 miles per hour of this storm are equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane — the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.

Heavy rains are expected to be the most significant issue when the impact on eastern China is expected to occur on Friday night, July 8, 2016, as Super Typhoon Nepartak is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm by then. As much as eight inches of rain could be the result of the deluge caused by Nepartak.

Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations

If you are traveling to anywhere in Taiwan or to cities in eastern China — which are expected to be adversely affected by Super Typhoon Nepartak — expect delays and cancellations. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to these tropical systems which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight will most likely be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in either of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems. Expect the operation of trains in Japan to be interrupted as well.

Here are three airlines of many which have issued travel alerts as a result of Super Typhoon Nepartak:

• Delta Air Lines currently has an alert for travel to Taipei between now through Friday, July 8, 2016 where your ticket must be reissued on or prior to — and rebooked travel must begin no later than — Tuesday, July 12, 2016.
• United Airlines has a similar travel waiver — except that the original travel date ends at the end of the day today.
• Eva Air — an airline which is based in Taiwan — has specific flight information related to Super Typhoon Nepartak which you need to check if you are a passenger on an affected flight.

Summary

The aforementioned alerts pertain to Taiwan only. Look for travel alerts to eastern China in a few days — and those alerts could include flights to cities such as Shanghai.

Contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — and please: travel safely.

Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.