As Super Typhoon Kong-rey approaches Taiwan, businesses and schools have closed, and numerous flights have been canceled. Millions of people are preparing for the impact of this powerful storm, which is one of the most significant threats to the island in recent memory.
To assist with rescue efforts, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence has mobilized 36,000 troops, while 1,300 individuals have already been evacuated from high-risk areas. The typhoon is expected to hit the sparsely-populated east coast around 2:00pm on Thursday.
With a massive storm radius of 320km (198 miles), Kong-rey is set to be the largest typhoon by size to hit Taiwan since 1996. Weather forecaster Gene Huang highlighted the extensive reach and high winds associated with this storm.
The weather administration predicts up to 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) of rainfall in eastern Taiwan along with damaging wind speeds along coastal regions. Destructive winds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour (99 miles per hour) are expected in Taitung county.
Police inspecting a damaged roof due to Typhoon Kong-rey in Hualien County [Hualien County Fire Department via AP Photo]
Taiwan braces for severe impact as Super Typhoon Kong-rey surpasses previous storms like Gaemi in strength. The Ministry of Transport reports hundreds of flight cancellations and disruptions across transportation services.
Residents in Taipei report heavy rain ahead of landfall as authorities urge caution and preparedness for potentially dangerous conditions caused by Super Typhoon Kong-rey.
Post from www.aljazeera.com