Typhoon Kong-rey has hit Taiwan with devastating force, marking a rare occurrence of such a significant storm striking late in the typhoon season. With winds surpassing 200 km/h, the typhoon made landfall on the island's eastern coast around 13:40 local time on Thursday, creating panic among millions of residents who rushed to secure their homes and stock up on supplies.
Government authorities closed schools, workplaces, and suspended hundreds of flights and ferry services, while the nation's stock exchange also halted trading. Tragically, at least one fatality has been reported—a 56-year-old woman who died when a falling tree struck her car. In total, more than 70 individuals have suffered injuries due to the storm's ferocity.
As of Thursday night, Typhoon Kong-rey had weakened to a "moderate typhoon" status, yet it caused extensive damage—including power outages impacting over 500,000 households, according to Taiwan Power Company. Reports of disasters keep flooding in from local residents, but rescue operations have been hampered by relentless winds and torrential rain.
Historically, Taiwan's typhoon season peaks between July and September; however, this year has witnessed two substantial storms in October, sparking concern among scientists about the rising global sea surface temperatures which have been near-record levels since July. Such conditions create ample heat energy for storms, elevating both their intensity and moisture capacity, leading to excessive rain, potential flooding, and landslides.
One resident remarked, "I’m 70 years old, and I have never seen a typhoon hit this late in the year," underscoring the unusual nature of Typhoon Kong-rey's timing. Forecasters predict that parts of eastern Taiwan could receive rainfall amounts reaching 1,200mm between the end of October and the start of November.
In preparation for potential emergency responses, Taiwan’s defense ministry has placed 36,000 soldiers on standby, and approximately 8,600 individuals have already been evacuated from high-risk areas. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of safety, urging residents to remain indoors and avoid the coast during the storm's peak.
Kong-rey is anticipated to continue weakening and should exit the island by Friday, yet the repercussions of this unprecedented storm are expected to be felt long after it leaves.
