Tropical storms are common in Taiwan from July to October, but scientists claim that the climate crisis has made them stronger, resulting in heavy rain, flash floods, and powerful winds.
Typhoon Krathon battered Taiwan before it was anticipated to make landfall on Thursday, closing schools and businesses for a second day and leaving two people dead and over 100 injured.
According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA), Krathon was located 30 kilometers southwest of southern Kaohsiung at 10:00 am (0200 GMT) with sustained wind speeds of 126 kilometres per hour (78 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 162 kph.
It is predicted that the typhoon’s center will land somewhere close to southern Tainan, Kaohsiung, or Pingtung at noon. Because it’s moving so slowly, the time has been delayed, AFP was informed by forecaster Chang Chun-yao.
While Kaohsiung residents were advised to seek shelter, CWA chief Cheng Chia-ping stated on Wednesday that the typhoon was predicted to rapidly weaken after impact.
“A typhoon causing destructive winds is expected to affect this area.” In a warning received three times on homeowners’ cell phones on Thursday, the CWA advised locals to “take shelter ASAP.”
The mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen Chi-mai, informed reporters that the city was being hit by “the strongest winds” and that he anticipated the typhoon to impact by 1 pm.
“We urge residents not to go out unless necessary,” he stated. “So far, Kaohsiung has recorded 356 disaster cases, mostly falling trees and advertising signs.”
According to the National Fire Agency, the island has already seen at least two fatalities, two reported missing, and 123 injuries as a result of torrential rain and strong winds.
After falling down while pruning trees in eastern Hualien county on Tuesday, the 70-year-old man was taken to the hospital and passed away the following day.
On Wednesday, a 66-year-old man who had been hospitalized in Taitung, a nearby town, on Monday due to his truck colliding with a large boulder that had fallen into the road, passed away.
Due to traffic disruptions brought on by Krathon, around 240 international flights have been canceled and all domestic flights have been suspended for a second day.
As of Thursday, around 10,000 individuals have been evacuated throughout Taiwan, the interior ministry reported.
As it makes its way slowly into Taiwan, Krathon has already caused floods and mudslides, as well as damage to some residences and roads, according to reports and officials.
Three motorcyclists in Kaohsiung were swept to the ground while traveling by powerful gusts that also caused buildings to shake, windows to break in some buildings, and trees to be uprooted.
TV footage showed strong waves pounding the coast of Pingtung county, which is nearby. Some seawater spilled onto a road, causing it to collapse in two spots.
A mudslide near a temple on a slope in New Taipei City, north of the island, caused a massive boulder to fall on top of it, partially smashing its roof, according to SET TV. The rain and wind were getting worse.
As the biggest typhoon to hit Taiwan in eight years, Gaemi struck in July, causing extensive flooding in Kaohsiung, hundreds of injuries, and at least ten fatalities.
After striking an isolated collection of Philippine islands, where it disrupted communications and power and damaged “many” homes, the storm was moving toward Taiwan, a local mayor said.
