Typhoon Kong-rey Unleashes Fury on Taiwan with Strong Winds

Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall in Taiwan on 31st October 2024, prompting a swift response from authorities as they took extensive precautions to ensure public safety. Schools, offices, and financial markets were closed, and thousands of residents were evacuated from high-risk areas.

Typhoon Kong-rey Overview

  • Considered the largest typhoon to directly impact Taiwan in nearly 30 years.
  • Made landfall on Taiwan’s eastern coast around 13:40 local time (04:40 GMT).

Preparatory Measures

  • Schools, workplaces, and financial markets were closed in anticipation of the storm.
  • Supermarkets experienced significant shortages as residents prepared for the typhoon.
  • Thousands of residents were evacuated from high-risk areas.

Typhoon Characteristics

  • At its peak, Kong-rey had winds exceeding 200 km/h, classifying it as equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.
  • The storm’s intensity weakened to a “moderate typhoon” by local evening.

Impact of the Typhoon

  • Injured over 70 people and resulted in at least one confirmed death—a 56-year-old woman struck by a falling tree.
  • Caused widespread power outages affecting approximately 500,000 households, as reported by Taiwan Power Company.
  • Reports of disasters and emergencies came from local residents, but access to those areas was hindered by severe weather conditions.

Unusual Timing

  • This year’s typhoon season is atypical, with Kong-rey striking in late October, a time usually reserved for milder storms.
  • Previous strong typhoons typically occur between July and September; however, two significant storms (including Super Typhoon Krathon) have impacted Taiwan this October.

Historical Context

  • The deadliest recent typhoon, Morakot in 2009, resulted in nearly 900 fatalities due to flooding and landslides, with record rainfall of 2,777 mm.
  • Forecasters predict Kong-rey may bring up to 1,200 mm of rainfall to eastern Taiwan from October 29 to November 1.

Government Response

  • The defense ministry has placed 36,000 soldiers on standby for potential rescue operations.
  • Approximately 8,600 individuals have been evacuated from vulnerable regions.
  • Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te advised citizens to remain indoors and avoid hazardous areas, including beaches.

Post-Landfall Expectations

  • Kong-rey is anticipated to weaken gradually after crossing Taiwan and is expected to exit the island by Friday.

shivampatel1

Recent Posts

Ravindra Jadeja Climbs to 5th Spot in India’s Test Wicket List

Ravindra Jadeja achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fifth-highest wicket-taker for India in Test…

1 min ago

RBI’s Diwali’s Plan Transporting 102 Tonnes from England

On Dhanteras, October 29, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revealed that it successfully…

2 hours ago

One District One Product’ Promoted by Piyush Goyal During Riyadh Visit

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, during his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, inaugurated the "One District…

2 hours ago

Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar Receives ₹284 Crore Boost as PM Unveils Key Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to Gujarat on 30th October, 2024, starting…

3 hours ago

Loss of Luminary: Bibek Debroy, Chairman of PM’s Economic Advisory Council, Dies at 69

Bibek Debroy, a prominent economist and chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM),…

3 hours ago

Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park Set to Achieve India’s First IGBC Certification

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on 30th October that the Durgesh Aranya…

3 hours ago