Two killed as slow-moving Typhoon Krathon lumbers into southern Taiwan
Typhoon Krathon Strikes Taiwan, Causing Deaths and Widespread Disruption #
A powerful typhoon has made landfall in southwestern Taiwan, resulting in two fatalities and causing significant disruption across the island. The storm, equivalent to a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane, brought winds of up to 135 kilometers per hour (85 miles per hour) as it hit the coast shortly after noon on Thursday.
According to emergency officials, two people have died and 219 injuries have been reported, with one person missing. The casualties include a 66-year-old driver struck by falling rocks and a 70-year-old man who fell while trimming a tree during the typhoon.
The storm moved slowly along the southern coast before making landfall, having previously hovered between Taiwan and the Philippines as a much stronger system. While it has since weakened, Krathon has dumped massive amounts of rainfall on Taiwan, with some areas receiving between 250-500 mm (10-20 inches) of rain, and isolated areas experiencing over a meter (40 inches).
The typhoon’s impact has led to widespread closures across Taiwan, including schools and the stock market. Hundreds of flights have been suspended, and nearly 100,000 households faced power outages as of Thursday afternoon.
Officials in Kaohsiung, a major port city heavily affected by the storm, warned of potential prolonged damage due to the typhoon’s slow movement. Residents have been advised to avoid going outside.
The storm has caused visible damage, with social media footage showing toppled motorcycles, collapsed scaffolding structures, and roofs torn off buildings. More than 38,000 Taiwanese soldiers are on standby to assist in case of emergencies.
Before reaching Taiwan, the typhoon had already impacted the Philippines, causing evacuations and severe flooding in coastal communities. Nearly 23,000 families in three regions were reportedly affected by the storm.
As Typhoon Krathon continues to move over and near Taiwan, additional heavy rainfall is expected, potentially exacerbating the already significant impacts of the storm.