Typhoon Kong-rey Slams Taiwan, Triggers Shutdown and Flight Cancellations

Typhoon Kong-rey, a powerful tropical storm, struck Taiwan’s eastern coastline on Thursday, prompting a nationwide shutdown with all cities and counties closing businesses and schools, halting financial markets, and grounding hundreds of flights. This storm, forecasted to be the largest by size in 30 years, made landfall in Taitung County, a region known for its mountainous terrain and lower population density. According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, the storm has brought heavy rainfall and intense winds across nearly all parts of the island.

Previously a super typhoon, Kong-rey weakened slightly but retained considerable strength, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, with wind speeds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour (155 mph), reported Tropical Storm Risk. It is anticipated to be Taiwan’s largest typhoon since 1996 in terms of diameter.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te encouraged citizens to exercise caution, avoiding any activities that might increase risk, such as visiting coastal areas to observe waves. Central Weather Administration forecaster Gene Huang warned that although the typhoon would weaken as it moved into the Taiwan Strait, residents should stay indoors as high winds could pose serious danger across the island.

In response to the storm, Taiwan’s environmental teams have been working to prevent potential oil leaks from a grounded Chinese cargo ship on the northern coast. The vessel lost power amid the severe weather, highlighting additional concerns along the coastline.

The remote island of Lanyu, or Orchid Island, located off Taitung, bore some of the typhoon’s strongest gusts, which exceeded 260 kph (162 mph). Sinan Rapongan, a local government official, described the night as “terrifying” for residents, with many spending the night awake, worried about potential structural damage to their homes. The typhoon left 1,300 residences without power and inflicted damage on several rooftops, although no injuries have been reported.

Since Typhoon Kong-rey’s approach on Wednesday, parts of eastern Taiwan have recorded rainfall totals exceeding one meter (3.3 feet). Taiwan’s government has mobilized 36,000 troops, ready to assist with any rescue or recovery operations, and 1,300 residents from high-risk regions have been evacuated as a precaution.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), a critical supplier for companies like Apple and Nvidia, announced that it had initiated standard typhoon preparedness protocols across all facilities. The company stated it does not anticipate any major disruptions to its operations due to the storm.

The storm’s impact on travel has been significant, with the transport ministry confirming the cancellation of 298 international flights, all domestic flights, and 139 ferry services to Taiwan’s outlying islands. While the high-speed rail system along Taiwan’s densely populated western corridor remains operational, services have been considerably reduced.

Looking ahead, Typhoon Kong-rey is expected to graze China’s Fujian province on Friday morning as it continues on its path.