Taiwan braces for Typhoon Krathon expected to hit southwestern city of Kaohsiung early on Thursday. The storm has brought torrential rain and strong winds with sustained wind speeds of 173km/h and gusts of up to 209km/h. The city’s 2.7 million residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid flood-prone areas. Authorities have evacuated nearly 10,000 people in at-risk areas as a precaution.
All cities and counties in Taiwan declared a day off as flights and ferry services were cancelled. The Ministry of Defence has put nearly 40,000 troops on standby. A government official in Kaohsiung’s Siaogang district recalls the devastation caused by a previous typhoon, emphasizing the need for preparations.
Typhoons rarely hit Taiwan’s densely populated west coast, with most hitting the eastern side of the island. Typhoon Krathon had already caused havoc in the Philippines, killing at least one person and displacing thousands. Climate change is exacerbating the intensity and duration of typhoons, with Krathon forming closer to coastlines.
Despite preparations, 35 typhoon-related injuries have already been reported in Taiwan. With fears of a repeat of the 1977 Typhoon Thelma, residents are rushing to stock up on essentials as the country braces itself for the impact of Typhoon Krathon.
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