Residents in Taiwan were told to seek shelter as Typhoon Krathon made landfall in Taiwan, with the island fully shut for the second day.
Krathon, a slow moving storm which has been lashing Taiwan since Monday, slammed into the major port city Kaohsiung as a much weaker Category 1 typhoon around midday.
Early this morning residents in the city of some 2.7 million people received texted warnings telling them to seek shelter from gusts of more than 160 kmph (100 mph).
At least two people have died in Taiwan from extreme weather caused by Krathon, both elderly men.
Earlier, two people were killed in the Philippines when the storm lashed the northern islands of the archipelago.
All domestic flights were cancelled for a second day, as well as 236 international ones. The north-south high speed rail line suspended services and Taiwan’s financial markets also closed for a second day.
The typhoon is forecast to slowly work its way up Taiwan’s flat western plain and weaken further into a tropical depression by late Friday before reaching the capital Taipei.
Key Points
- Typhoon Krathon makes landfall with Taiwan brought to standstill
- Millions warned to take shelter
- Taiwan shuts down for another day
- Two dead in Taiwan from Typhoon Krathon
- Hundreds of flights cancelled in Taiwan
- Typhoon Krathon tracker: Path and forecast
Satellite image shows Typhoon Krathon over Taiwan
08:30
Stuti Mishra
A satellite image captured by the Himawari-8 weather satellite today shows Typhoon Krathon as it makes landfall in southern Taiwan.
The storm hit near Kaohsiung earlier in the day as a weakened system, but it continues to bring torrential rain and powerful winds across the region.
The image illustrates the storm's spiral structure as it moves northward, with bands of clouds spreading across the island and surrounding regions, causing significant weather disturbances.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued multiple advisories for heavy rain, especially in southern and eastern parts of the island.
Even though the typhoon has weakened, it remains a serious concern due to the heavy rainfall and risk of flooding and landslides across Taiwan.
Video: Heavy rain in Kaohsiung where Typhoon Krathon made landfall
08:00
Stuti Mishra
Atrocious conditions out here now south of Kaohsiung in eyewall of #typhoon #Krathon in #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/cGq6HWvFR8
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) October 3, 2024
Multiple heavy rain advisories to last until Friday
07:40
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a series of Heavy Rain Advisories across Taiwan, with torrential rainfall expected to continue.
The advisories are in effect from Thursday morning through Friday morning.
Rainfall is affecting key areas like Keelung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taipei, Pingtung, and Hualien.
Typhoon Krathon made landfall near Kaohsiung earlier today, after lingering along the coast for two days and lashing the island throughout. Although weakened, the storm continues to bring significant rainfall across Taiwan.
Krathon becomes first typhoon in almost three decades to make landfall in southwestern Taiwan
07:20
Stuti Mishra
BREAKING: TY #Krathon (PH : #JulianPH) is now making landfall in the city of Kaoshiung in the southwestern Taiwan this Thursday afternoon local time – the first typhoon to do in 28 years.
— Matthew Cuyugan (@mscuyugan) October 3, 2024
It is the only third typhoon to make landfall in the city since 1945, according to the… pic.twitter.com/oyYeCh5mNV
Photos: Trees blown down, houses damaged as Typhoon Krathon makes landfall
07:00
Stuti Mishra
Why Typhoon Krathon's landfall was 'weird'
06:40
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon's landfall has been labelled "weird" by Taiwanese media as the storm brought the island to a halt.
Typhoons often hit Taiwan's east coast facing the Pacific, but Krathon is unusual in that it directly hit the populated west coast.
The storm also hovered along the coast for an unusually long period, lashing the island with rainfall and wind gusts since Monday.
Despite intensifying dramatically on its approach to Taiwan, the storm eventually made landfall at midday today as a weaker typhoon with windspeeds equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.
Typhoon Krathon makes landfall with Taiwan brought to standstill
06:19
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon has made landfall in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung city at around midday local time, arriving as a weaker Category 1 typhoon.
The slow-moving Typhoon has been lashing Taiwan since Monday with its outer bands causing heavy rains and wind gusts.
The storm earlier intensified to an equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane but then lost some of its strength before landfall.
Despite its weakened state, the storm has caused significant disruption across Taiwan, forcing the country to remain shut down for a second day.
So far, two people have died, and hundreds of flights have been grounded. Financial markets also remain closed.
The Taiwanese government urged residents to remain indoors due to torrential rain, strong winds, and the threat of storm surges.
Millions warned to take shelter
06:00
Stuti Mishra
This morning, residents in Kaohsiung, a city of some 2.7 million people, received texted warnings telling them to seek shelter from gusts of more than 160 kmph (100 mph).
"It's so windy now that I do not dare to go out and inspect my neighbourhood," Lin Tsai-wang, a resident of the downtown Sanmin district, told Reuters.
Typhoons often hit Taiwan's east coast facing the Pacific, but Krathon is unusual in that it will directly hit the west coast.
The Kaohsiung government has been particularly cautious in its preparations given that the last time it was struck by such a storm in 1977, Typhoon Thelma killed 37 people and devastated the city.
When is Typhoon Krathon making landfall in Taiwan?
05:40
Stuti Mishra
Krathon is forecast to make landfall as a much weaker Category 2 typhoon around midday at the major southwestern port city of Kaohsiung.
It is now slightly weakened but still a powerful Category 3-equivalent storm with sustained wind speeds of 173kmph and gusts of up to 209kmph.
The typhoon is forecast to slowly work its way up Taiwan’s flat western plain and weaken further into a tropical depression by late Friday before reaching the capital Taipei.
Hundreds of international flights disrupted for third day
05:22
Stuti Mishra
This is the third day of travel disruptions in Taiwan as Typhoon Krathon brought the city to a full closure again.
Since Tuesday, flights have been getting delayed and cancelled and Taiwan has been on a full shut down since yesterday.
Today again, all domestic flights were cancelled as well as 236 international ones.
The north-south high speed rail line suspended services from central to southern Taiwan until early evening.
Taiwan's financial markets also closed for a second day.
Two dead in Taiwan
04:15
Stuti Mishra
The death toll from extreme weather caused by Typhoon Krathon is now at two, officials confirmed.
Another elderly man lost his life after a boulder fell on his car.
Earlier, a 70 year old man died after falling from a tree.
The storm has already killed two people in the Philippines.
Taiwan shuts down for another day as Typhoon Krathon nears
04:04
Stuti Mishra
Taiwan remains shut for a second day as Typhoon Krathon continues to batter the island before its landfall.
Schools, offices and financial institution were shut across the island yesterday and remain shut today.
This is the second time in a year when Taiwan has had to shut its financial market for two days.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall around noon.
Video: Typhoon Krathon's formation and march over Philippines and Taiwan
02:30
Stuti Mishra
Let us see #typhoon #krathon from invest to super typhoon and then fight with cold front. pic.twitter.com/0L0daBU5Pm
— weatherson (@112babyboy) October 1, 2024
Will Typhoon Krathon impact Taipei?
Thursday 3 October 2024 00:30
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.
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon path and rainfall forecast
Wednesday 2 October 2024 23:30
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon leaves two dead and over 77,000 afftected in the Philippines
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:30
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.
No major impact from Typhoon Krathon, chip maker says
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:30
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.
Why is Typhoon Krathon’s landfall rare?
Wednesday 2 October 2024 20:30
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.
Typhoon Krathon warning expanded to 13 cities and counties
Wednesday 2 October 2024 19:29
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.
Typhoon Krathon brings back memories of Thelma
Wednesday 2 October 2024 18:30
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.
Mayor warns Krathon could be as devastating as 1977’s Typhoon Thelma
Wednesday 2 October 2024 17:30
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 yesterday but the storm began to 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."
Photos: Trees are blown down by strong winds
Wednesday 2 October 2024 16:30
Stuti Mishra
Video: Typhoon Krathon's formation and march over Philippines and Taiwan
Wednesday 2 October 2024 15:30
Stuti Mishra
Let us see #typhoon #krathon from invest to super typhoon and then fight with cold front. pic.twitter.com/0L0daBU5Pm
— weatherson (@112babyboy) October 1, 2024
Taiwan’s president warns of 'catastrophic damage' from Typhon Krathon
Wednesday 2 October 2024 14:30
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 yesterday during a visit to the Central Emergency Operations Centre, which was set up over the weekend to coordinate response measures to the typhoon.
Photos: Taiwanese coastguard patrols Sizihwan Bay
Wednesday 2 October 2024 13:45
Stuti Mishra
Why slow-moving typhoons like Krathon can be more devastating
Wednesday 2 October 2024 13:00
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon's slow movement has raised concerns about its potential impact on Taiwan.
The storm was travelling at a speed of just 2-8 kmph, with its outer bands lashing Taiwan since Monday, and its landfall is now expected tomorrow morning.
Krathon is expected to continue impacting Taiwan until Friday now as it slowly moves over the island, eventually weakening, a day later than earlier expected.
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 already accumulated 300 mm of rain, with totals potentially exceeding 600 mm in some areas by yesterday.
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.
Photos: Waves crash on the coastline in Kaohsiung
Wednesday 2 October 2024 12:15
Stuti Mishra
One dead in Taiwan from Typhoon Krathon
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 10:00
Stuti Mishra
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon path
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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?
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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?
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 06:50
Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon brings intense heat to Hong Kong
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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
Wednesday 2 October 2024 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