- Biggest typhoon in 30 years hits Taiwan
- It made landfall on Friday and is expected to weaken as it moves across the island
- It has already weakened to a moderate typhoon
- One person killed, power outages and school and work closures
Biggest typhoon in 30 years hits Taiwan
Typhoon Kong-rey, the biggest storm to hit Taiwan in nearly 30 years, made landfall on the island’s eastern coast, forcing schools and workplaces to close and disrupting daily life. The typhoon struck with winds exceeding 200 km/h, comparable to a Category 4 hurricane, before weakening to a moderate typhoon by evening. Authorities reported at least one death—a woman killed by a falling tree—and over 70 injuries. Power outages affected half a million households, and severe winds and rain hindered emergency response efforts in areas like Hualien County.
The storm’s arrival is unusual for late October, as Taiwan’s typhoon season typically ends by September. Ocean scientists have linked this anomaly to record-high sea surface temperatures that fuel stronger storm systems. Kong-rey follows Super Typhoon Krathon, which struck earlier in October and caused multiple fatalities and injuries.
Forecasters warned that eastern Taiwan could receive up to 1,200 mm of rain, posing risks of flooding and landslides. In preparation, 36,000 soldiers were on standby, and 8,600 people had been evacuated from high-risk areas. President Lai Ching-te urged residents to stay indoors and avoid coastal areas. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves across the island, exiting by Friday.