Two dead from Typhoon Krathon in southern Taiwan

Two dead from Typhoon Krathon in southern Taiwan

After the devastating Typhoon Krathon, which hit the southwest with heavy rain and strong winds Taiwan hit, two people were killed. The important port city of Kaohsiung was badly affected and the island had to be closed for the second day in a row.

Impact of the typhoon on Taiwan

With winds of up to 135 kilometers per hour (85 miles per hour), Typhoon Krathon hit the southern coast of Taiwan midday Thursday, making it the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operations Center reported two deaths and 219 injured, with one person remaining missing. One victim was a 66-year-old driver who was hit by falling rocks, while the other victim was a 70-year-old man who fell while trimming a tree during the typhoon.

Power and movement of the typhoon

Before landing, Krathon moved slowly along the southern coast for several hours. In previous days, it had hovered between Taiwan and the Philippines as a Category 4 typhoon, with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te warning of "catastrophic damage." Although the storm has now weakened, it has pummeled Taiwan with heavy rain, forcing schools and the stock market to close last week. Hundreds of flights were canceled and nearly 100,000 households were without power by 3 p.m., according to Ministry of Economy reports.

Weather conditions and further developments

Rainfall ranged from 250 to 500 mm (10-20 inches), in some regions even over a meter (40 inches). Further rainfall between 250 and 500 mm is possible as Krathon lingers further over and near Taiwan. Schools and offices remained closed again on Thursday and more than 38,000 Taiwanese soldiers are standing by to help in an emergency.

Local reactions and precautionary measures

Officials in Kaohsiung warned of the consequences of the typhoon's slow movement. Mayor Chen Chi-mai expressed concern: "If it moves very slowly and even stays over Kaohsiung and Tainan, it could prolong the damage in Kaohsiung." He called on the population: “Please stay at home.”

Experiences of local residents

A university student, Liao Shian-rong, 24, told Reuters he traveled from Taipei to Kaohsiung to track the storm, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “We are now going to be hit by the eye shell and will soon be in the eye,” he filmed the storm from the hotel lobby.

Storm aftermath in the Philippines

The storm, known in the Philippines as Julien, has already hit the country's northernmost islands, causing evacuations and severe coastal flooding. According to the Philippines' national disaster agency, nearly 23,000 families in three regions have been affected by the storm.