At least three people have died from extreme weather caused by Typhoon Krathon as Taiwan braces for the storm's landfall.
Krathon, now slightly weakened but still a powerful Category 3-equivalent storm with sustained wind speeds of 173kmph and gusts of up to 209kmph, is expected to strike the southwestern port city of Kaohsiung in Taiwan.
Taiwan saw its first death related to the typhoon on Wednesday when an elderly man in Hualien fell from a tree, the fire department said. Earlier two people died as Krathon brought extreme rainfall to the northern Philippines.
With its northwards march slowed to just 8kmph, Krathon has been lingering, but its outer bands are already causing rainfall and wind gusts in southern Taiwan.
The island shut down on Wednesday as it braced for the storm, with hundreds of flights cancelled and offices, schools and financial markets closed.
Rainfall in southern regions, particularly Kaohsiung and Tainan, is forecast to be extreme, with some areas bracing for up to 800mm of rain.
“It [Krathon] is set to bring catastrophic damage,” Taiwan president Lai Ching-te said.
Key Points
- One dead in Taiwan from Typhoon Krathon
- Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Krathon
- Typhoon Krathon tracker: Path and forecast
- Hundreds of flights cancelled in Taiwan
- Taiwan’s president warns of 'catastrophic damage' from Typhon Krathon
- Typhoon Krathon leaves two dead and over 77,000 afftected in the Philippines
Photos: Waves crash on the coastline in Kaohsiung
12:15
Stuti Mishra
One dead in Taiwan from Typhoon Krathon
11:31
Stuti Mishra
One person has died in Taiwan amid extreme weather caused by Typhoon Krathon, the fire department has confirmed.
An elderly man in the eastern county of Hualien fell from a tree, the department said.
At least two others are missing and 70 injuries have been reported so far.
Krathon has been lashing the island with heavy rain and wind gusts since Monday.
Nearly 10,000 evacuated in Taiwan ahead of Typhoon Krothan
11:15
Stuti Mishra
Nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas across Taiwan, particularly in regions prone to flooding and landslides.
Most of the evacuations are concentrated in southern Taiwan, including cities like Kaohsiung and Pingtung, where the storm is expected to make landfall early morning tomorrow.
Taiwan's interior ministry has coordinated the evacuations, while local governments have been distributing sandbags and mobilising emergency services.
Taiwan has shut down schools, offices, and its financial markets. Flights and ferry services have been widely cancelled as the storm brings torrential rain and strong winds, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant and stay indoors.
Typhoon Krathon in process of weakening, Taiwanese forecaster says
10:30
Stuti Mishra
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has forecast that Typhoon Krathon is gradually weakening as it nears Taiwan's southwest coast.
The storm is expected to make landfall tomorrow morning, either as a weak typhoon or potentially downgraded to a tropical storm, CWA said.
It will further weaken as it passes over Taiwan, possibly "dissolving" into a tropical depression, the CWA said, while cautioning that the storm could still bring heavy rains for an extended period of time.
Typhoon Krathon was located 130 kilometres southwest of Kaohsiung, moving north-northeast at 8 kilometres per hour at 1.15pm local time (5.15am GMT).
Photos: Rain drenches Kaohsiung overnight
10:00
Stuti Mishra
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon path
09:30
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon continues its slow approach toward Taiwan. The map from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) shows the storm’s path and projected wind intensities.
Krathon is expected to make landfall near Kaohsiung tomorrow early morning.
The forecast places Krathon’s maximum sustained wind speeds at 100 knots (185 kmph) near landfall, with the outer bands already affecting southern Taiwan.
Wind speeds of up to 90 knots (167 kmph) are expected as the storm progresses inland, affecting areas as far north as Tainan and Taichung. The storm’s effects will also be felt across Taipei as it moves northward after landfall.
Video: Wind gusts and waves in Donggang
09:00
Stuti Mishra
A video shared by storm chaser Jason H on X shows heavy winds and high tides in Donggang town in southwestern Taiwan.
"Fairly rough conditions going on outside our hotel in Donggang," he wrote.
Fairly rough conditions going on outside our hotel in Donggang, #Taiwan this morning as we enjoy a traditional breakfast before hitting the road. I suspect this storm might turn out quite the over-producer relative to forecast intensity, just has that feel to it #Krathon pic.twitter.com/8TzIqMmn85
— Jason H (AU) (@OreboundImages) October 2, 2024
Will Typhoon Krathon impact Taipei?
08:30
Stuti Mishra
Krathon is forecast to make landfall near Kaohsiung or Tainan city either tonight or tomorrow morning local time, and from there it is projected to move northeast toward Taipei over the next day or so.
While the storm is expected to weaken as it moves inland, it could still cause significant damage, particularly due to heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds.
Authorities have issued extreme rain and wind warnings for multiple regions, with storm surge risks persisting along the coast.
Offices, schools, and businesses across Taiwan, including the financial market in Taipei is already shut as a precaution.
Typhoon Krathon warning expanded to 13 cities and counties
08:10
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) expanded typhoon warnings to cover 13 cities and counties, stretching from the southern tip of the island up to Miaoli in the north.
As of 1.15pm local time (5.15am GMT), Typhoon Krathon was located 130 kilometres southwest of Kaohsiung, moving north-northeast at 8 kilometres per hour.
The outer rim of the storm has already engulfed Taitung and extended up the west coast as far as Yunlin, with bands of heavy rain and strong winds posing a significant threat to areas further north.
The cities and counties under the warning include Nantou, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Pingtung, Changhua, Penghu, Taichung, Tainan, Taitung, Hualien, Miaoli, Yunlin, and Kaohsiung.
Authorities are asking residents across these regions to prepare for potential flooding, landslides, and storm surges as Typhoon Krathon makes its slow approach towards southwestern Taiwan, with landfall possible either tonight or tomorrow morning.
Why is Typhoon Krathon's landfall rare?
07:50
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon is set to make an unprecedented landfall on Taiwan’s heavily populated west coast near Kaohsiung, bringing flooding and disruption to the region’s industrial and semiconductor sectors.
“Normally, typhoons in the western Pacific (especially in a place like Taiwan) track from east to west across this area,” Jon Davis, chief meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, said.
This is partly why Taiwan's population is densely concentrated on its west coast and very few people live on the Pacific east coast – which receives the brunt of most storms.
"Typhoon Krathon is going to take a track and make landfall on the west coast of Taiwan near Kaohsiung based on the latest data,” he said.
Krathon’s west coast track is rare, with no major typhoon (Category 3 or higher) making landfall near Kaohsiung in the past 34 years, Mr Davis said.
“This will be an unprecedented event for the southwest portion of Taiwan," he told The Independent.
No major impact from Typhoon Krathon, chip maker says
07:30
Stuti Mishra
TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major Apple and Nvidia supplier, said it did not expect the typhoon would have a significant impact on operations.
TSMC's factories are along the west coast, where the typhoon is set to make a rare landfall, some in the city of Tainan.
Most typhoons impact the southeastern parts of Taiwan and the western parts, which house some of the biggest companies and millions of people, remain safe from impacts.
However, experts have expressed concerns that Krathon's path could cause disruption to Taiwan's financial hubs.
Typhoon Krathon brings back memories of Thelma
07:10
Stuti Mishra
Residents in Taiwan were collecting sandbags, taping glass windows and stocking groceries as authorities urged people to stay at home.
"Because of Typhoon Gaemi being quite severe earlier this year, everyone is more cautious and prepared this time around," sales representative Yu Ren-yu, 35, told Reuters, picking up sandbags at a government office, referring to July's storm that killed 11 people.
"First be prepared, then we can face this typhoon."
People are very prepared this time, said Chou Yi-tang, a government official working in the Siaogang district home to the airport.
For many older residents, the storm brought back memories of the devastation caused by Typhoon Thelma five decades ago.
"We were hit directly by the eyewall," he added, describing events of Typhoon Thelma. "Power was out for two weeks and no water for almost a month. It was disastrous."
More than 700 sandbags have been distributed in his district, a record for a typhoon, while authorities are making more to meet demand, he told the agency.
Photos: Passengers wait at airports amid cancellations and delays
06:50
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon brings intense heat to Hong Kong
06:30
Stuti Mishra
Hong Kong is under intense heat due to Typhoon Krathon as it inches close to Taiwan.
Temperatures soared to around 35 degrees Celsius in several areas of the city.
This unusually high heat is attributed to the typhoon's influence combined with the northeast monsoon expected to sweep through the region.
Although the typhoon is not expected to come close to Hong Kong, the city's weather department issued a "very hot weather warning", advising residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor physical activities to prevent heatstroke.
One missing and least 46 people injured in Taiwan
06:10
Stuti Mishra
The fire department has reported 46 injuries, mostly in the mountainous eastern county of Taitung, where relentless rainfall and some mudslides have been recorded since Sunday.
One person is also reported missing in the central county of Yunlin.
Hundreds of flights cancelled in Taiwan
05:50
Stuti Mishra
Hundreds of international flights have been grounded and all domestic travel was stopped today amid Typhoon Krathon in Taiwan.
From yesterday, several airlines were cancelling or rescheduling their flights from Taiwan amid extreme weather.
At least 246 international flights are grounded today, according to Reuters.
Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has cancelled flights between its home base and Taiwan from Tuesday to Friday, according to a press release from the company.
Taiwan's Starlux also rescheduled its flights for later, adding that further changes can be announced later.
The storm has also caused disruptions to train lines. Taiwan's north-south high-speed rail remains operational, though services have been reduced. However, Taiwan Railways has suspended several trains on both the eastern and western lines, including all services on the South Link Railway.
Ferry services have also been halted amid rough seas.
Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Krathon
05:30
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan has shut down schools, offices and financial markets today ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Krathon.
Officials in the key port city of Kaohsiung, set to be in the eye of the storm, told people to stay home and avoid the sea, rivers and mountains, warning of a repeat of 1977’s Typhoon Thelma that killed 37 and devastated the city of 2.7 million.
All the island’s cities and counties declared a day off while more than 10,000 people were evacuated, mostly in the south and east.
Typhoon Krathon weakens slightly but remains 'very strong' ahead of landfall
05:15
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon has weakened slightly but continues to be a "very strong" typhoon, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The storm is currently located 130 kilometres south-southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
It is packing maximum sustained winds of 180 kmph, with gusts reaching 252 kmph. Krathon remains classified as a "very strong" typhoon and continues its slow movement north-northeast as it approaches Taiwan.
Typhoon Krathon leaves two dead and over 77,000 afftected in the Philippines
05:00
Stuti Mishra
At least two people are confirmed dead and over 77,000 people were affected in the Philippines after Typhoon Krathon caused significant devastation in the northern part of the archipelago.
One person was electrocuted in Cagayan province, and another fatality was reported in Ilocos Sur, according to Xinhua news agency.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed that Krathon, which intensified into a super typhoon earlier this week, brought winds of 195 kmph and gusts reaching 240 kmph.
The storm's impact has left widespread damage across three regions as it continues to slowly moves north-northwestward towards Taiwan's highly populated industrial hub, maintaining its strength.
Typhoon Krathon still inching towards Taiwan
04:46
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon is still making its way towards Taiwan, forecast to hit between Kaohsiung and its neighbouring city of Tainan in the early hours of Thursday, then work its way up the west coast towards the capital Taipei, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.
All cities and counties in Taiwan declared a day off on Wednesday, shutting financial markets. Domestic flights have been cancelled for the day, along with 246 international ones.
The north-south high speed rail line remained open, but with a reduced number of operations.
The typhoon has weakened, but the threat from a storm surge and strong winds and rain remains as it slowly makes its way towards Taiwan’s coast, the weather administration said.
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon location and forecast
Tuesday 1 October 2024 14:30
Stuti Mishra
Why is Typhoon Krathon's landfall rare?
Tuesday 1 October 2024 13:45
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon is set to make an unprecedented landfall on Taiwan’s heavily populated west coast near Kaohsiung, bringing weather disruptions to the region’s industrial and semiconductor sectors.
“Normally, typhoons in the western Pacific (especially in a place like Taiwan) track from east to west across this area,” Jon Davis, Chief meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, said.
This is why Taiwan has a heavy concentration of people and businesses on the West Coast of the Island while very few people live on the East Coast of Taiwan – the area of normally higher risk.
Typhoon Krathon is going to take a track and make landfall on the West Coast of Taiwan near Kaohsiung based on the latest data.” Krathon’s west coast track is rare, with no major typhoon (Category 3 or higher) making landfall near Kaohsiung in the past 34 years, Mr Davis said.
“This will be an unprecedented event for the southwest portion of Taiwan,” he wrote in a statement.
What is storm surge?
Tuesday 1 October 2024 13:10
Stuti Mishra
A storm surge is an abnormal rise in sea level during a storm, caused by strong winds and low pressure pushing seawater onto the land.
It’s one of the most dangerous aspects of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes and typhoons, often leading to severe flooding in coastal areas.
In the case of Typhoon Krathon, authorities in Taiwan are particularly concerned about storm surges as the storm's strong winds and heavy rains push large volumes of seawater inland, potentially flooding vulnerable coastal regions.
With waves expected to reach up to 8 metres, coastal defences are being put in place to mitigate the risk of serious flooding.
Typhoon Krathon disrupts flights in Hong Kong and Taiwan
Tuesday 1 October 2024 12:30
Stuti Mishra
Super Typhoon Krathon is causing travel disruption in Taiwan and Hong Kong as it nears landfall.More than 94 flights have been cancelled across Taiwan, according to Taiwan News.
HK Express said it would cancel 12 flights travelling between Hong Kong and Taichung, Taipei and Kaohsiung on Wednesday and Thursday, SCMP reported.
The storm is set to hit Taiwan’s southern port city of Kaohsiung tomorrow morning local time.
Why slow-moving typhoons like Krathon can be more devastating
Tuesday 1 October 2024 11:50
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon's slow movement has raised concerns about its potential impact on Taiwan.
The storm is traveling at a speed of just 4-5 kmph, with its outer bands lashing Taiwan since yesterday. Krathon is expected to make landfall in the morning and then continue impacting Taiwan through until Thursday as it slowly moves over the island, eventually weakening.
While fast-moving typhoons cause significant damage, slow-moving storms often prove to be even more devastating.
Slow-moving typhoons tend to linger over an area for longer periods, leading to exceptional volumes of rainfall. In Krathon's case, regions like Pingtung and Taitung have already accumulated 300 mm of rain, with totals potentially exceeding 600 mm in some areas. This extended rainfall dramatically increases the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous regions, where the saturated soil becomes unstable.
The affected regions are also subjected to the storm's intense winds for a longer duration, increasing the likelihood of structural damage and power outages.
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon location and forecast
Tuesday 1 October 2024 11:20
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon has maintained its fierce intensity while moving slowly across the South China Sea.
The storm's centre was located at 208 kilometres south-southeast of Kaohsiung this afternoon local time, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA).
Krathon's maximum sustained winds near the centre have intensified to 198 kmph, with gusts reaching 270 kmph, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.
Taiwan expands warnings as Typhoon Krathon intensifies
Tuesday 1 October 2024 10:50
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) upgraded its weather warnings to include several more regions after Krathon intensified into a super typhoon earlier.
The warning now also includes Penghu, Yunlin, and Hualien. Some parts of Taiwan have already accumulated up to 300mm of rainfall.
The slow moving storm is expected to bring extreme weather throughout much of Taiwan's main island from today through Thursday.
Typhoon Krathon poses 'unprecedented' threat to semiconductor sector
Tuesday 1 October 2024 10:27
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon is set to make an unprecedented landfall on Taiwan’s heavily populated west coast near Kaohsiung, bringing weather disruptions to the region’s industrial and semiconductor sectors.
“Normally, typhoons in the western Pacific (especially in a place like Taiwan) track from east to west across this area,” Jon Davis, Chief meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, said.
This is why Taiwan has a heavy concentration of people and businesses on the West Coast of the Island while very few people live on the East Coast of Taiwan – the area of normally higher risk.
Typhoon Krathon is going to take a track and make landfall on the West Coast of Taiwan near Kaohsiung based on the latest data.” Krathon’s west coast track is rare, with no major typhoon (Category 3 or higher) making landfall near Kaohsiung in the past 34 years, Mr Davis said.
“This will be an unprecedented event for the southwest portion of Taiwan,” he wrote in a statement.
Krathon has intensified into a Category 4 storm today. It is expected to bring 4-20 inches (100-508 mm) of rain, with the heaviest totals on Taiwan’s eastern coast.
While the top manufacturer TSMC has said they do not expect impacts on their operation, experts warn the extreme weather could pose challenges like infrastructure damage and supply chain issues.
Kaohsiung is home to many industrial facilities, including suppliers for the aviation components, consumer and industrial electronics, industrial metals, and industrial chemicals industries.
“The area hosts several industrial estates and science and technology centers with manufacturing concentrations, including the Kaohsiung Luzhu Science Park, the Nanzih Technology Industrial Park, and the Kaohsiung Ciaotu Science Park,” Jena Santoro, senior manager of Intelligence Solutions at Everstream, said.
“Together, these parks form a semiconductor manufacturing corridor in southern Taiwan which supports the development of the most advanced semiconductors through companies.”
“Typhoon Krathon’s forecasted Category 4 strength puts this high-value industry cluster at risk of disruption from preemptive production halts, personnel shortages due to evacuations, prolonged power outages, and production delays prompted by damage to facilities and equipment.”
Taiwan’s president warns of 'catastrophic damage' from Typhon Krathon
Tuesday 1 October 2024 09:29
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan’s president warned that the storm could impose ‘catastrophic damage” on the island and warned “everyone must be particularly vigilant.”
“Typhoon Krathon has intensified into a strong typhoon with strong wind, heavy rain and high storm surge, and it is set to bring catastrophic damage,” Taiwan president Lai Ching-te said today during a visit to the Central Emergency Operations Centre, which was set up over the weekend to coordinate response measures to the typhoon.
Typhoon Krathon to bring life-threatening floods and power outages
Tuesday 1 October 2024 08:40
Stuti Mishra
Slow moving Typhoon Krathon is expected to make landfall in southern Taiwan tomorrow afternoon or night, AccuWeather says, bringing with it the possibility of life-threatening conditions.
According to Jason Nicholls, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, Krathon is expected to strike near Kaohsiung City with sustained winds of around 110 mph (175 kmph) and gusts up to 155 mph (250 kmph).
He warned that the storm’s impact could be severe, with significant damage likely to occur.
“Rainfall in Taiwan can total over 24 inches (600 mm), which will result in life-threatening flooding and an increased risk of mudslides,” Mr Nicholls told The Independent. “The strong winds will result in structural damage and power outages,” he added.
Krathon, currently equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, is intensifying as it approaches Taiwan. But the storm is moving slowly at a speed of around 4-5 kilometres per hour (approximately 2-3 mph). Its bands are already lashing Taiwan's eastern regions with heavy rainfall.
Meteorologists expect torrential rain and powerful winds to affect large swaths of the island, with coastal and mountainous regions particularly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration has issued heavy rain and wind alerts, urging residents to prepare for potentially catastrophic impacts.
Mayor warns Krathon could be as devastating as 1977’s Typhoon Thelma
Tuesday 1 October 2024 08:20
Stuti Mishra
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan's southwest coast, Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai compared the storm’s potential devastation to Typhoon Thelma in 1977, which left Kaohsiung without water and electricity and caused the deaths of 37 people.
"After the typhoon, the whole of Kaohsiung was without water and electricity, just like a war," Mr Chen said, urging residents to stay indoors. "As much as possible, limit going out."
According to Li Meng-hsiang, a forecaster from the Central Weather Administration (CWA), Krathon has reached its peak intensity but could weaken slightly before landfall.
"The storm surge might bring tides inland," Li warned. "If it's raining heavily, it will make it difficult to discharge waters, and as a result, coastal areas will be subject to flooding."
Taiwan's defence ministry has mobilised 38,000 troops for rescue and relief operations.
Photos: Sandbags, taped windows and wet weather as Taiwan prepares for Typhoon Krathon
Tuesday 1 October 2024 07:50
Stuti Mishra
TSMC says it does not expect significant impact from Typhoon Krathon
Tuesday 1 October 2024 07:20
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, said that it has activated its routine typhoon preparation procedures ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Krathon and does not expect a significant impact to its operations.
Kaohsiung Mayor warns Typhoon Krathon’s path as devastating as 1977’s Typhoon Thelma
Tuesday 1 October 2024 06:50
Stuti Mishra
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan's southwest coast, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai compared the storm’s potential devastation to Typhoon Thelma in 1977, which left Kaohsiung without water and electricity and caused the deaths of 37 people.
"After the typhoon, the whole of Kaohsiung was without water and electricity, just like a war," Mr Chen said, urging residents to stay indoors. "As much as possible, limit going out."
According to Li Meng-hsiang, a forecaster from the Central Weather Administration (CWA), Krathon has reached its peak intensity but could weaken slightly before landfall.
"The storm surge might bring tides inland," Li warned. "If it's raining heavily, it will make it difficult to discharge waters, and as a result, coastal areas will be subject to flooding."
Taiwan's defence ministry has mobilised 38,000 troops for rescue and relief operations.
Photos: Rainbow in the sky amid rainfall in Taipei
Tuesday 1 October 2024 06:20
Stuti Mishra
School closures and flight cancellations in Taiwan
Tuesday 1 October 2024 05:53
Stuti Mishra
As Super Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan, authorities have ordered widespread closures of schools and offices across six major cities and counties, including Kaohsiung, Tainan, Pingtung, Hualien, Taitung, and Chiayi.
The storm is expected to make landfall tomorrow, bringing with it severe weather that could last until Thursday.
At least 85 domestic flights and several international routes, particularly those between Taiwan and Hong Kong, have been cancelled as a precaution. Ferry services to outlying islands have also been suspended until further notice.
Typhoon Krathon intensifies as it approaches southern Taiwan
Tuesday 1 October 2024 05:17
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon has further intensified, reaching the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane as it slowly moves towards Taiwan's southwestern coast. The typhoon is packing maximum sustained winds of 198 kmph and gusts up to 270 kmph.
This morning, Krathon was located approximately 236 kilometres south-southeast of Kaohsiung, moving north at a slow pace of 4 kmph.
Krathon is expected to make landfall in southwestern Taiwan tomorrow, with forecasts predicting that the storm could be just 60 kilometres south-southwest of Kaohsiung by 8am local time (midnight GMT).
The typhoon's outer bands have already started impacting southern Taiwan, with heavy rains and strong winds affecting Pingtung and Taitung counties and Kaohsiung City.
Sailors rescued amid rough seas and worsening weather
Tuesday 1 October 2024 04:45
Stuti Mishra
Off the southeast coast, Taiwan's coast guard dispatched a boat to rescue 19 sailors from the cargo vessel Blue Lagoon who were forced to abandon ship as it took on water in its engine room, with a rescue helicopter having to turn back due to the wind and rain.
The coast guard said the crew consisted of seven Ukrainians, nine Egyptians and three Russians, which had set off from China's Caofeidian port for Singapore.
Taiwan mobilises 40,000 troops
Tuesday 1 October 2024 04:30
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan mobilised nearly 40,000 troops today in preparation for search and rescue operations, with the powerful Typhoon Krathon approaching its populous southwest coast and expected to bring a storm surge.
Taiwan regularly gets hit by typhoons but they generally land along the mountainous and sparsely populated east coast facing the Pacific, but this one will make landfall on the island's flat western plain.
Krathon is forecast to hit the major port city of Kaohsiung on Wednesday morning, then work its way across the centre of Taiwan heading northeast and cross out into the East China Sea, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.
Kaohsiung, home to some 2.7 million people, declared a holiday and told people to stay at home as Krathon - labelled a super typhoon by the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre - approached.
Li Meng-hsiang, a forecaster for Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, said the storm has reached its maximum intensity and could weaken slightly as it moves closer to Taiwan, warning of gusts of more than 150 kmph (93 mph) for the southwest.
"The storm surge might bring tides inland," Mr Li said. "If it's raining heavily it will make it difficult to discharge waters and as a result coastal areas will be subject to flooding."
Taiwan's defence ministry said it had put more than 38,000 troops on standby, as Kaohsiung residents made their own preparations.
Over 500 people evacuated from Kaohsiung ahead of Typhoon Krathon
Tuesday 1 October 2024 03:00
Alexander Butler
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan, 521 people have been evacuated from the mountainous regions of Kaohsiung today in anticipation of severe weather.
Local authorities issued landslide warnings for the districts of Taoyuan, Maolin, Namasia, and Liugui, prompting evacuations.
Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai inspected disaster preparedness measures, including flood control systems and the city’s 91 pumping stations, Taiwan News reported.
Kaohsiung is bracing for heavy rainfall, with estimates suggesting up to 800 mm in the mountainous areas.
Schools were moved online and 23,000 sandbags have been distributed across the city to help residents prepare for flooding.
Watch: Philippine Coast Guard tows stranded speedboat as Typhoon Krathon approaches the Philippines
Tuesday 1 October 2024 02:00
Alexander Butler
Photos: Staff stock canned food at supermarkets in Taipei ahead of Typhoon Krathon
Tuesday 1 October 2024 01:00
Alexander Butler
Philippines: People wade through flooded streets
Monday 30 September 2024 23:00
Alexander Butler
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon heads to Taiwan after lashing Philippines
Monday 30 September 2024 22:00
Alexander Butler
Over 500 people evacuated from Kaohsiung ahead of Typhoon Krathon
Monday 30 September 2024 20:30
Alexander Butler
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan, 521 people have been evacuated from the mountainous regions of Kaohsiung today in anticipation of severe weather.
Local authorities issued landslide warnings for the districts of Taoyuan, Maolin, Namasia, and Liugui, prompting evacuations.
Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai inspected disaster preparedness measures, including flood control systems and the city’s 91 pumping stations, Taiwan News reported.
Kaohsiung is bracing for heavy rainfall, with estimates suggesting up to 800 mm in the mountainous areas.
Schools were moved online and 23,000 sandbags have been distributed across the city to help residents prepare for flooding.
Map: Typhoon Krathon continues to intensify as it moves closer to Taiwan
Monday 30 September 2024 19:30
Alexander Butler
Typhoon Krathon is continuing to intensify as it churns towars Taiwan.
The storm is currently located approximately 260 kilometres southeast of Taiwan’s southernmost point, Cape Eluanbi.
It is slowly moving west-northwest at 5 kmph, with maximum sustained winds of 213 kmph and gusts up to 260 kmph, making it close to a Category 4 hurricane.
Krathon’s approach is causing heavy rainfall and dangerous conditions across Taiwan’s eastern and southern regions.
Hong Kong set to experience extreme heat amid Typhoon Krathon
Monday 30 September 2024 18:30
Alexander Butler
Hong Kong is set to experience scorching temperatures today and tomorrow as Typhoon Krathon approaches southern Taiwan.
Though the storm is not expected to directly affect Hong Kong, the city will feel the heat due to the typhoon’s outer subsiding air, causing temperatures to soar across southern China, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
Despite Krathon remaining over 500 kilometres from Hong Kong, residents were advised to stay hydrated and take precautions against the heat on these very hot days.
Forecast animation shows path of Typhoon Krathon
Monday 30 September 2024 17:30
Alexander Butler
A forecast animation from Zoom Earth, a privately-run weather tracker, shows Typhoon Krathon’s projected path as it heads toward southern Taiwan.
The animation shows the typhoon’s intense wind gusts and possible landfall near Kaohsiung, with winds expected to exceed 200 kmph.
However, the storm’s interaction with Taiwan’s mountainous terrain could lead to unpredictable changes in its direction, making the exact landfall location difficult to forecast.
A very powerful typhoon could strike southern #Taiwan on Wednesday, bringing winds over 200 km/h and extreme rainfall ⚠️
— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) September 30, 2024
Typhoon #Krathon’s exact landfall location will be difficult to forecast.
As the typhoon interacts with the high mountains of Taiwan, its motion could become… pic.twitter.com/gUoBdboGxZ
Intensifying Typhoon Krathon forecast to hit Taiwan's populated west coast
Monday 30 September 2024 16:30
Alexander Butler
Taiwan issued a land warning on Monday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Krathon which is expected to intensify and cross the island’s densely populated west coast bringing torrential rain and strong winds.
Taiwan regularly gets hit by typhoons but they generally land along the mountainous and sparsely populated east coast facing the Pacific.
Krathon, categorised as a medium strength typhoon, is forecast to hit the major port city of Kaohsiung early on Wednesday, then work its way across the bottom tip of Taiwan and cross out into the Pacific, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.
The typhoon is expected to further intensify into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, packing powerful winds of more than 220 kmh (125 mph) near its centre, according to Tropical Storm Risk.
“The impact is getting bigger and bigger,” said Gene Huang, forecaster at the CWA, pointing to threats to Taiwan’s southwest and adding it was “rare” for such a powerful typhoon to make a direct hit to the island’s western plains.
Over 500 people evacuated from Kaohsiung ahead of Typhoon Krathon
Monday 30 September 2024 16:00
Alexander Butler
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan, 521 people have been evacuated from the mountainous regions of Kaohsiung today in anticipation of severe weather.
Local authorities issued landslide warnings for the districts of Taoyuan, Maolin, Namasia, and Liugui, prompting evacuations.
Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai inspected disaster preparedness measures, including flood control systems and the city’s 91 pumping stations, Taiwan News reported.
Kaohsiung is bracing for heavy rainfall, with estimates suggesting up to 800 mm in the mountainous areas.
Schools were moved online and 23,000 sandbags have been distributed across the city to help residents prepare for flooding.
Typhoon Krathon: Eastern Taiwan sees heavy rain and landslides
Monday 30 September 2024 15:30
Alexander Butler
As Typhoon Krathon inches closer to Taiwan, eastern regions have already begun to experience its impact.
From last night, heavy rainfall has been battering the area, causing landslides along Provincial Highway No 9, disrupting traffic between Su’ao in Yilan County and Chongde in Hualien, Focus Taiwan reported.
Several vehicles were trapped near Huide Tunnel, though no injuries were reported.
All stranded individuals were successfully rescued, and the blocked sections of the highway were closed as a precaution.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued heavy rain alerts for Taiwan’s eastern counties, with rainfall expected to exceed 80 mm within 24 hours.
Taiwan’s national parks, beaches, and ferry services have also been suspended as safety measures. Transportation between Hualien and Taitung, along with sections of the South Link Line, has been halted due to the storm’s progression.
Krathon is expected to make landfall on Taiwan’s southern coast tomorrow, with strong winds and torrential rain likely to affect the island through Thursday.
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon heads to Taiwan after lashing Philippines
Monday 30 September 2024 15:00
Alexander Butler
