In brief
Typhoon Kong-rey has made landfall in Taiwan, registering as the most powerful storm to impact the area in nearly three decades. With maximum winds reaching 126 mph, authorities have initiated widespread evacuations and suspended daily activities.
As Typhoon Kong-rey made its way onto the shores of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon, the island braced for impact, marking the most severe storm in 28 years. The extraordinarily strong typhoon brought with it sustained winds comparable to those of a Category 3 hurricane, as stated by meteorologists from the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center.The Taiwanese government reported over 9,600 residents evacuated from 13 cities due to the impending threat of severe weather. As of Thursday afternoon, at least 73 injuries were linked to the typhoon's ferocious winds and heavy rainfall, with officials confirming one fatality—a woman, 56, whose vehicle was struck by a falling tree.In anticipation of the storm, schools, offices, and financial markets were closed, and approximately 400 flights were cancelled. The entire island was placed under extensive land and sea alerts, warning of winds exceeding 39 mph and extraordinary rainfall, particularly in mountainous regions where nearly four feet of rain was expected."My plans are in chaos," expressed Huang Shu-ting, a Taipei resident, as she stocked up on supplies in anticipation of the storm's impact. Emergency responders and military forces were mobilized throughout the affected areas to assist in evacuations and emergency management.
