Taiwan prepares for the arrival of Kong-rey, its third typhoon since July

Ten-meter-high waves hit Taiwan's east coast on Thursday as powerful Typhoon Kong-rey approached, forcing thousands to flee one of the strongest storms to threaten the island in years. according to meteorologists.

The typhoon is expected to trigger winds “destructive” when it makes landfall Thursday in the middle of the day or early afternoon locally, southeast of Taiwan, the least populated part of this island of 23 million inhabitants already in the grip of the monsoon, where many people have already been evacuated.

The gusts generated by Kong-rey already sometimes exceed 260 km/h as they approach the shore, according to the latest bulletin from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, a meteorological center of the American army.

Kong-rey is currently more powerful than Typhoon Gaemi, the largest storm to hit Taiwan in the past eight years, when it arrived in July.

“Its impact on the whole of Taiwan will be very significant”warned Chu Mei-lin of the Central Administration of Meteorology at a press conference.

With a radius of 320 kilometers, Kong-rey is on track to become the largest typhoon to make landfall in nearly 30 years, according to the government agency.

Dozens of ferry connections and domestic flights were canceled on Wednesday.

In Taitung and Hualien counties, waves up to 10 meters high were observed.

All schools and offices closed

Taiwanese authorities on Wednesday closed schools and offices in advance on outlying islands in eastern Taitung County, where the typhoon is expected to hit directly.

On Thursday, the measure was extended and expanded, with work and schools suspended across Taiwan as residents prepared to weather the storm.

The streets of Taipei, plagued by heavy rains and strong winds, are largely deserted.

At least 27 people were injured by the bad weather, trees were felled and four mudslides were recorded, the National Fire Agency said, but without providing further details.

More than a meter of rain could fall between now and Friday in the most impacted regions.

Authorities began evacuations on Wednesday in eight counties and cities, including Yilan, Hualien and Taitung, authorities said.

On Thursday, more than 8,600 people left their homes.

Forecasters warned of winds “destructive” of Kong-rey, and nearly 35,000 soldiers stood ready to participate in relief operations.

Unusual lateness

President Lai Ching-te urged people to remain vigilant and avoid going to the mountains or the sea.

“This typhoon is moving quickly and will cause strong winds and torrential rain”he warned.

Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang, for his part, expressed his concern about the fate of two Czech tourists who were hiking in the Taroko Gorge, near Hualien, who were unreachable on their mobile phones on Wednesday.

Taiwan is accustomed to tropical storms, frequent from July to October, but it is “unusual for such a powerful typhoon to hit the island this late in the year”notes meteorologist Chang Chun-yao.

Climate change is increasing their intensity, with heavy downpours, flash floods and very strong gusts of wind, scientists say.

Kong-rey will be the third typhoon to hit Taiwan since July.

This summer, Gaemi killed 10 people and injured hundreds, causing widespread flooding in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

This typhoon was followed by Krathon, which swept across southern Taiwan in early October, accompanied by destructive winds, flooding and mudslides that left at least four dead and hundreds injured.