Typhoon Kong-Rey Strikes Taiwan: One Dead and 73 Injured
Taiwan has been severely impacted by Typhoon Kong-Rey, one of the most powerful storms to hit the island in nearly 30 years. The cyclone made landfall at 1:40 p.m. local time on October 31, 2024, in Chenggong, Taitung County, unleashing winds of up to 184 km/h and torrential rains. Initial reports confirm that at least one person has died—a 56-year-old woman who was struck by a falling tree—while 73 others have sustained injuries, including from mudslides and other storm-related incidents.
Kong-Rey, with a massive radius of 320 kilometers, was categorized as a super typhoon before its landfall, but weakened to a category 3 cyclone as it crossed Taiwan. Despite this downgrade, the storm has already caused significant disruption, leading to the closure of schools and offices across the island. The streets of Taipei, battered by heavy rain and strong winds, remain largely deserted, with forecasts predicting over a meter of rainfall in the hardest-hit areas by Friday.
Preparations and Evacuations Underway
In response to the storm, Taiwanese authorities have activated emergency protocols. Nearly 35,000 troops are on standby for rescue and relief efforts, while tech giant TSMC reported that it has implemented standard typhoon preparedness procedures at its chipmaking facilities, expecting minimal impact on operations.
As of Wednesday, many domestic flights and ferry services have been canceled, and evacuations have been ordered in eight counties, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Concerns have also been raised for two Czech tourists who were hiking in the Taroko Gorge and have not been reachable since the storm began.
Meteorologists have noted the unusual timing of such a powerful typhoon hitting Taiwan this late in the year, as tropical storms typically occur from July to October. The increasing intensity of these storms has been attributed to climate change, which has led to heightened risks of heavy rainfall, flash floods, and strong winds. Kong-Rey is the third typhoon to strike Taiwan since July, following Typhoon Gaemi and Typhoon Krathon, both of which resulted in significant casualties and damage.
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