A Super Typhoon is headed towards the island nation of Taiwan and intensifying ahead of impact, according to reports.
Typhoon Kong-rey – the most expansive storm in nearly 30 years – is headed for the geo-politically significant island nation and is expected to make landfall sometime on Thursday, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
Strong winds and torrential rains are already battering the isle – with wind gusts already reaching 161 mph, according to the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
The Central Weather Administration of Taiwan said that the storm stretches across 198 miles, making it the most expansive typhoon in nearly 30 years, according to local weather authorities.
This storm is predicted to be larger than Typhoon Gaemi, which touched down in Taiwan in July, and was the strongest storm experienced there in eight years. That storm was responsible for more than 200 deaths across Asian countries.
Government officials in Taiwan are warning the more than 23 million residents of the nation that the impact of the storm will be severe.
“With the typhoon approaching, we should beware of the strong winds near the center,” Chu Mei-lin from the state weather forecaster, Central Weather Administration, said in a briefing Thursday, Barron’s reported.
“Its impact on the entire Taiwan will be quite severe,” they added.
Workplaces and schools across the country were suspended on Thursday – with city streets deserted as folks hunker down for the worst that is still yet to come, Barron’s reported.
At least 27 people have been injured due to the weather – due to causes like downed trees and mudslides – the National Fire Agency said Thursday, according to Barron’s.
Both domestic and international flights in and out of the island have also been canceled as are ferry services, according to local reports citing disaster officials. Ferry services have also been suspended.
Evacuations have started in eight counties and cities resulting in more than 6,200 people fleeing their homes Wednesday night, according to the National Fire Agency.
Kong-rey will be the third typhoon to hit Taiwan since July. Typhoon Krathon passed through the island earlier this month and killed four people.
The Taiwanese defense ministry said that it has put 36,000 troops on standby to help with rescue efforts.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company – the world’s largest contract chipmaker – said that it has activated routine typhoon alert preparation processes at all its factories, according to Reuters.
With Post wires
