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Nature and EnvironmentTaiwan

Typhoon Krathon: Taiwan braces for torrential rain

October 2, 2024

Schools, offices and financial markets closed as a weakened Typhoon Krathon approached the west coast of Taiwan. It is expected to hit the port city of Kaohsiung before moving towards capital, Taipei.

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A man runs from waves in Kaohsiung.
Krathon is expected to make landfall in the port city of KaohsiungImage: Chiang Ying-Ying/AP/picture alliance

Offices, schools and financial markets shut as Taiwan declared Wednesday a day off, bracing for the arrival of a weakened Typhoon Krathon. 

The typhoon was downgraded overnight from strong to medium under Taiwan's measurement system, but it was still expected to bring storm surges and torrential rain.

All domestic flights and 246 international flights were canceled on Wednesday. The north-south high speed rail line was open, but with limited operations.

Residents of the port city Kaohsiung, which lies in the path of the storm, were told to stay indoors and away from water bodies and mountains.

Passangers wait at the Taoyuan international airport
Domestic flights and ferry services have been canceledImage: Tommy WANG/AFP

Locals prepare for torrential rains

Krathon is expected to also hit the city of Tainan before moving up towards capital, Taipei, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The CWA said Krathon is packing sustained wind speeds of 173 kilometers per hour (107 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 209 kph.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai said a weakened Krathon could still pose a danger. 

"If it moves north, the winds will strengthen again, so the threat to Kaohsiung will continue to exist, and people cannot take this lightly," he told reporters.

Authorities in the port city handed out sandbags to protect from flooding and cleared storm drains.

The fire department reported 46 injuries across Taiwan. One person was reported missing in Yunlin county after falling into the sea.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it had about 38,000 troops on standby for rescue and aid operations.

"Because of Typhoon Gaemi being quite severe earlier this year, everyone is more cautious and prepared this time around. First be prepared, then we can face this typhoon," Yu Ren-yu, a sales representative, told Reuters news agency while picking up sand bags from a government office.

Coast Guard members speak to a local in Kaohsiung.
Authorities have mobilized thousands of troops ahead of the storm's arrivalImage: WALID BERRAZEG/AFP

Typhoon Gaemi, which occured in July 2024, killed at least 10 people and left hundreds wounded.

The world's largest chipmaker TSMC, which has factories on Taiwan's west coast, said it did not expect a significant effect on its operations. It is a major supplier to Apple and Nvidia.

Typhoon Krathon was approaching from the Philippines, where it caused damage to homes and cut power. 

Typhoons are common around this time of the year in Taiwan, but they usually occur along the mountainous, sparsley populated east coast. 

In 1977,  Typhoon Thelma killed 37 people in Taiwan.

Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of typhoons in the region. 

tg/nm (AFP, Reuters)