In brief
With significant wind speeds and projected heavy rain, officials prepare for potential rescue operations and severe disruptions.
Typhoon Kong-rey has made its powerful entrance into Taiwan, impacting the eastern coast with unprecedented force for this late in the year. Marking itself as the largest typhoon to hit the island in nearly three decades, Kong-rey made landfall around 13:40 local time (04:40 GMT), prompting emergency preparedness from millions of residents. The storm packed winds exceeding 200 km/h near its center, qualifying it as a Category 4 hurricane.In anticipation of the storm's arrival, schools closed their doors and many workplaces halted operations, while shelves in supermarkets quickly emptied as residents stockpiled essentials. Hundreds of flights and ferry services were canceled, and the stock exchange paused trading in light of the approaching disaster.Initial reports indicate over 70 injuries and at least one fatality, with a 56-year-old woman killed by a falling tree while traveling in her vehicle. As night fell on Thursday, authorities assessed that the typhoon had weakened to a "moderate" classification but continued to affect power supply, leaving half a million homes in darkness, as noted by Taiwan Power Company.Disaster response efforts are complicated by severe winds and rains, hampering on-the-ground assistance. In the eastern county of Hualien, township officials reported receiving calls for help but faced challenges in reaching those in distress. Unusually for this season, two significant typhoons have impacted Taiwan in October, deviating from the norm of July through September.Residents express disbelief at the storm's timing, with one 70-year-old local reflecting on the unprecedented nature of Typhoon Kong-rey's late-season strike. Ocean scientists have linked the intensity of recent storms to near-record global sea surface temperatures, which fuel the energy required for such storms.The ongoing threat is exacerbated by the moisture the storm carries, raising concerns over potential flooding and landslides. Historically, Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which claimed nearly 900 lives due to equally catastrophic rainfall, remains stark in memory.Taiwan's weather agency warns of potential downpours reaching 1,200mm across the hardest-hit eastern regions from October 29 to November 1. In a proactive measure, the defense ministry has dispatched 36,000 soldiers for potential rescue operations, with approximately 8,600 individuals evacuated from at-risk areas. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has issued advisories for citizens to remain indoors and steer clear of hazardous zones.As Kong-rey continues its path, it is anticipated to weaken further as it traverses the island, with meteorologists predicting the storm's exit by Friday. Authorities remain vigilant, prepared to respond to emerging needs as the situation unfolds.
