Taiwan: Authorities in Taiwan are urging residents along the eastern coast to prepare for the impending impact of Super Typhoon Kong-rey, which has rapidly intensified after battering the Philippines.
The storm is forecast to make landfall early Thursday in Taitung, a sparsely populated area on the mountainous southeastern coast of Taiwan.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), Kong-rey reached super-typhoon strength on Wednesday, packing winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour (150 miles per hour), equivalent to a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane.
Meteorologist Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s weather agency stated that, “As the typhoon continues its northwest trajectory, almost the entire island will be within the storm’s influence later tonight.”
In anticipation of the storm, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued extended land warnings to over half of Taiwan’s counties as of noon Wednesday.
Check out Typhoon #KongRey! This beast is a rare monster, packing 150 mph (240 kph) winds and a jaw-dropping 925 mbar pressure. It’s unheard of for a storm this massive to maintain such intense fury. And get this – it’s a Cat 4 Typhoon roaring towards Taiwan in late October. pic.twitter.com/dfUFqt9QPH
— CYCLONE CENTRAL (@CYCLONECENTRAL4) October 30, 2024
Despite forecasts suggesting a slight weakening before landfall, Kong-rey is expected to bring intense downpours, flash flooding, storm surges, and heightened landslide risks. Heavy rainfall is anticipated across Taiwan, including in the capital city, Taipei.
In response to the approaching storm, Taiwan’s military has placed approximately 36,000 soldiers on standby for rescue and relief operations, according to the Ministry of National Defence. Most flights and ferries across Taiwan were reported to be operating as usual on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, Typhoon Krathon resulted in four fatalities due to heavy rainfall in southern Taiwan. Work and classes have been suspended on two of Taiwan’s outlying islands, Green Island and Orchid Island, as a precautionary measure.
As of Wednesday morning, Kong-rey continued to skirt Taiwan’s northern coast as it moved closer to the island, heightening concerns for residents in its path.
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