Taiwan braces for impact as powerful typhoon approaches, prompting school and office closures
Schools and offices in Taiwan have been shuttered, and hundreds of individuals have been evacuated from vulnerable regions around the island in anticipation of a powerful typhoon set to make landfall. The storm is expected to hit the densely populated western coast of Taiwan after causing damage in the northern Philippine islands.
Ahead of the typhoon’s arrival, more than 500 people in mountainous areas prone to landslides have been relocated, with nearly 40,000 troops deployed to assist in rescue operations, as reported by the Defense Ministry.
Typhoon Krathon is forecast to reach the major port city of Kaohsiung in the southwest of the island on Wednesday morning before traversing central Taiwan and then heading northeast towards the East China Sea, according to the Central Weather Administration. The capital city of Taipei is expected to feel the impact of the storm on Wednesday and Thursday.
In preparation for the typhoon, businesses and restaurants in Kaohsiung, a city with a population of 2.7 million, have closed their doors. The mountainous areas of the region are bracing for up to 80 centimeters (31 inches) of rainfall.
The typhoon is approaching the island with maximum sustained winds of 198 kph (123 mph) and gusts reaching 245 kph (152 mph), according to the weather administration.
Previously, Typhoon Krathon caused the displacement of nearly 2,000 individuals in the northern Philippines. The storm’s strong winds resulted in the destruction of roofs of rural households, uprooted trees, and extensive flooding in the region. Infrastructure damage was also reported, including an airport terminal and light planes in Batanes province, and flooding in Lingayen town in Pangasinan province.
While there were no immediate reports of casualties from the Philippine government’s disaster-response agency, local officials disclosed that a resident was tragically electrocuted by a fallen power line while riding a motorcycle in Santa Ana, a coastal town in Cagayan province.
As Taiwan braces for the impending impact of Typhoon Krathon, authorities and residents are taking all necessary precautions to mitigate potential risks and ensure public safety.