In brief
As Typhoon Kong-rey slammed into Taiwan's eastern coast at 13:40 local time on Thursday, citizens have been left grappling with the aftermath of the powerful storm, which made its appearance unusually late in the season.
In a historic twist, the storm has brought sweeping damage with winds exceeding 200 km/h, leading to school closures, flight cancellations, and widespread fears as authorities blame it for multiple injuries and at least one fatality linked to falling debris. Officials have declared the storm has transitioned to a "moderate typhoon" as it began to lose strength, but the impacts have been severe. Reports indicate significant rainfall and flooding are anticipated, prompting thousands of evacuations and emergency preparations, particularly in high-risk areas. As scientists examine the implications of rising ocean temperatures on storm activity, Taiwan's government has activated military support to initiate rescue operations as Kong-rey progresses across the island.Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid hazardous areas as the storm is projected to move away by Friday. As the nation recovers from this late-season disaster, the focus remains on the safety of citizens and infrastructure recovery.
