Taiwan Braces for Powerful Typhoon to Hit Largest Port
Taiwan has mobilized nearly 40,000 troops and closed schools and offices in multiple counties in anticipation of a powerful typhoon expected to hit the island’s densely populated western coastline. The storm, known as Typhoon Krathon, has already battered the northernmost islands of the Philippines, causing evacuations, school closures, and warnings of potentially very destructive rainfall.
The typhoon is forecast to make landfall in the major port city of Kaohsiung on Wednesday morning, then move across central Taiwan and northeast toward the East China Sea. Maximum sustained winds of 198 kph (123 mph) and gusts reaching 245 kph (152 mph) are expected, with heavy rainfall predicted in mountainous areas, potentially reaching up to 80 centimeters (31 inches).
In preparation, emergency services have already evacuated 1,690 individuals from high-risk zones in Kaohsiung, and over 500 residents have been relocated from hilly areas susceptible to landslides. The Central Weather Administration has issued warnings for extremely heavy rain and strong winds, with the storm’s outer bands already affecting southern Taiwan, including Pingtung and Taitung counties.
