Taiwan shuts down as strong Typhoon Kong-rey hits, one dead

TAIPEI: Taiwan faced a massive shutdown on Thursday as Typhoon Kong-rey, the largest storm to hit the island in nearly 30 years, struck Taiwan’s east coast, disrupting financial markets, grounding flights, and curtailing rail services. The typhoon left nearly 500,000 households without power, according to government reports.

Kong-rey, classified as a Category 4 storm with winds over 250 kph, hit Taitung County with widespread effects across Taiwan. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration labeled it the biggest typhoon since 1996. Tragically, one person lost their life when a truck collided with a fallen tree in central Taiwan.

President Lai Ching-te urged caution, discouraging people from venturing outdoors or engaging in risky activities like wave-watching. Forecaster Gene Huang predicted that after striking Taiwan’s east, the storm would weaken over the Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, environmental teams are containing oil leaks from a grounded Chinese cargo ship off Taiwan’s northern coast.

Lanyu Island recorded gusts surpassing 260 kph before some equipment went offline. Local official Sinan Rapongan reported damage to rooftops and power outages for over 1,300 homes. Eastern Taiwan saw rainfall exceeding one meter since Kong-rey’s approach on Wednesday.

The defence ministry deployed 36,000 troops on standby, with nearly 10,000 residents preemptively evacuated from high-risk areas. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a global chip supplier, assured minimal impact on operations due to stringent typhoon measures.

Over 300 international and all domestic flights were cancelled, and the high-speed railway operated a limited service. Kong-rey is expected to skim China’s Fujian coast on Friday, with Shanghai preparing for its heaviest rains in 40 years.

Typhoons are frequent in Taiwan’s subtropical climate, with Typhoon Krathon killing four earlier this month.