Typhoon Krathon has made a devastating impact on the Taiwan region, resulting in two deaths and injuring 102 individuals as of Wednesday evening, according to the local emergency operation department. Additionally, two people have been reported missing.
The storm has triggered heightened red alerts for mudslides in Taitung County and Pingtung County, increasing the number to 44. In response to the severe weather conditions, 21 roads across Taiwan have been closed as a precautionary measure. The typhoon has also disrupted air travel, leading to the cancellation of 99 international and cross-Straits flights, while all local flights have been grounded. Maritime transportation has not been spared either, with four cross-Straits routes and 30 voyages suspended, and all 10 routes along with 131 voyages within the island canceled.
As of Wednesday evening, a total of 58,109 households in Taiwan have experienced power outages, with 3,490 households still without electricity. Relevant departments are actively working on restoration efforts to restore power to affected areas.
China's National Meteorological Center reported that Typhoon Krathon was centered northeast of the South China Sea on Wednesday morning, approximately 125 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung City in Taiwan. The typhoon reached maximum wind speeds of 48 meters per second near its center, equivalent to a level-15 gale.
Krathon is expected to move northeastward at a speed of 5 to 10 kilometers per hour and is forecasted to make landfall on the southwestern coast of Taiwan between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
The impact of Typhoon Krathon extends beyond Taiwan. East China's Fujian Province has announced the suspension of most of its passenger ferry services due to storms triggered by the typhoon, as stated by local maritime authorities.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
