Taiwan Shuts Down as Typhoon Krathon Approaches

AFP/APP

Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Taiwan shut down schools and financial markets on Wednesday as Typhoon Krathon battered its southern and eastern regions with torrential rain and strong winds, ahead of its expected landfall.

The typhoon, with sustained winds of 173 kilometres per hour (107 miles) and gusts up to 209 kph (130 mph), was located 130 kilometres southwest of Kaohsiung at noon, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Originally classified as a strong typhoon, Krathon was downgraded overnight to a medium storm under Taiwan’s measurement system. It is expected to make landfall near Kaohsiung or Tainan on Thursday morning, a day later than earlier predictions. CWA chief Cheng Chia-ping explained that the typhoon’s slow movement delayed its landfall, with its centre expected to arrive around 10:00 am Thursday.

The island has closed offices and schools, with over 10,000 people evacuated from high-risk areas. Premier Cho Jung-tai advised citizens to remain indoors and exercise caution, noting the typhoon’s prolonged threat due to its slow pace, particularly in the south and east where continuous rainfall is expected.

All domestic flights and ferry services were cancelled on Wednesday, with around 250 international flights suspended. The defence ministry reported that nearly 40,000 troops are on standby for potential relief operations. As of Wednesday, authorities reported 46 typhoon-related injuries, and one person was missing in Yunlin county after falling into the sea.

Typhoons are common in the region during this time of year, but recent studies indicate that climate change is causing storms to form closer to coastlines, intensify more rapidly, and last longer over land.

Stranded Tourists

Kaohsiung’s streets were eerily empty, with heavy rain and winds bending trees as the city braced for the storm. At the airport, tourists scrambled to reschedule their flights. Malaysian tourist Chan Ka-woh, whose flight was cancelled, said, “We have to stay at least two or three days longer.”

Powerful waves pounded the coast, and seawater spilled onto roads near the scenic Sizihwan Bay. Local authorities distributed sandbags and cleared storm drains in preparation, hoping to avoid the flooding caused by Typhoon Gaemi in July, which was the strongest to hit Taiwan in eight years, leaving at least 10 people dead.

In nearby Taitung, rivers swelled under the heavy rain, and local media broadcasted footage of the severe conditions. Typhoons are frequent in Taiwan from July to October, but experts warn that climate change is making them more intense, causing flash floods, stronger winds, and heavier rainfall.

Krathon had earlier struck the northern Philippines, where it displaced over 5,000 people and caused significant damage to homes in remote areas, according to local officials. Eight people were reported injured, and one person was missing due to the storm.