A slow-moving typhoon approaching Taiwan has led to school and office closures for a third consecutive day. Authorities are urging people to stay indoors as Typhoon Krathon, with fierce winds and heavy rain, moves closer to the island. The typhoon was situated about 50 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung, a major port city, on Thursday morning, moving at a speed of 4 kph.
Expected to hit Taiwan’s densely populated west coast later on Thursday, Typhoon Krathon is forecasted to weaken as it moves inland. With maximum sustained winds near the center of 137 kph and gusts of 173 kph, it has caused disruptions in Kaohsiung, affecting its 2.7 million residents. Stores, restaurants, markets, and harbors have been closed, and domestic flights have been grounded for the past two days.
Storms associated with Typhoon Krathon have resulted in over 100 injuries in southern and southeastern Taiwan, with two fatalities reported. The incidents include a person who died in a car accident due to fallen rocks in Taitung county and another individual who lost their life while trimming tree branches in Hualien. Two others are currently missing.
Evacuations have been conducted in areas prone to mudslides and landslides, with nearly 40,000 troops on standby to assist in rescue operations. Some regions in the south of the island have experienced up to 150 centimeters of rainfall over the past five days. Typhoons typically impact Taiwan’s eastern mountainous areas rather than the west coast.
Prior to heading towards Taiwan, the typhoon caused damage in northern Philippine islands, resulting in four fatalities and displacement of at least 5,000 individuals. As the situation unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring the path and impact of Typhoon Krathon on Taiwan.