Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Kong-rey – DW – 10/31/2024

Taiwan’s cities and counties declared a day off, canceled flights and closed financial markets on Thursday as the island braced for what was expected to be the strongest storm in 30 years, Typhoon Kong-rey.

At least 27 people were injured, trees were felled and four mudslides were reported, the National Fire Agency reported. He did not provide any more details.

The biggest typhoon in several decades

The typhoon is expected to make landfall on the sparsely populated eastern coast around 2 p.m. (0600 GMT), according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA). Strong winds and heavy rainfall are likely to affect almost all of Taiwan.

“As the typhoon approaches, we should watch out for strong winds near the center,” CWA’s Chu Mei-lin said at a briefing. “Its impact on all of Taiwan will be quite severe.

Kong-rey, once a super typhoon, weakened overnight but retained strength as a Category 4 hurricane with winds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour, according to storm tracking website Tropical Storm Risk.

A Taiwanese weather forecaster said it would be the biggest typhoon to hit the island since 1996. He called Kong-rey a “strong typhoon”, meaning the most powerful storm in Taiwan.

Rainfall amounts of up to 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) are expected in eastern Taiwan.

Preparations for typhoon Kong-rey

Taiwan’s defense ministry has put 36,000 troops on standby to help with rescue operations.

The government said about 1,300 people were evacuated from high-risk areas. Meanwhile, the National Fire Agency said evacuations in eight counties began on Wednesday evening and more than 6,200 people had been moved by the evening.

Nearly 300 international flights have been canceled, as well as all domestic flights and 139 ferry services to and from surrounding islands, according to Taiwan’s transport ministry.

Taiwan’s high-speed railway is still operational, although its services are significantly reduced.

Typhoons are common this time of year in Taiwan.

In early October, Typhoon Krathon killed four people and injured more than a hundred. In July, Typhoon Gaemi killed at least 10 people, injured hundreds and caused widespread flooding in the southern port of Kaohsiung.

mk/wd (AFP, Reuters)