Taiwan found itself on lockdown on Wednesday, with offices, schools, and financial markets all closed in preparation for the arrival of Typhoon Krathon. The weakening storm, although diminished in strength, is still expected to deliver a significant punch, bringing torrential rains and storm surges along the coast.
The government in Kaohsiung, a key port city directly in the path of the typhoon’s eye, has issued urgent instructions for residents to stay indoors and avoid coastal areas, rivers, and mountains. The government’s warning echoes the devastating impact of Typhoon Thelma in 1977, which claimed the lives of 37 people and left the city of 2.7 million in ruins.
Typhoons are a regular occurrence in Taiwan, but typically land along the sparsely populated east coast facing the Pacific Ocean. This time, Krathon is set to make landfall on the island’s flat western plain. It’s projected to hit between Kaohsiung and its neighboring city of Tainan in the early hours of Thursday, before moving northward along the west coast towards the capital, Taipei, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).
In anticipation of the storm’s arrival, all cities and counties in Taiwan declared Wednesday a day off, bringing financial markets to a standstill. Domestic flights have been cancelled for the day, along with numerous international flights. Although the typhoon has weakened, the weather administration cautions that the threat from storm surges, strong winds, and heavy rain remains as it slowly approaches Taiwan’s coast.
The memory of Typhoon Gaemi, a severe storm that struck earlier this year, has heightened public awareness and preparedness. “Because of Typhoon Gaemi being quite severe earlier this year, everyone is more cautious and prepared this time around,” said sales representative Yu Ren-yu, 35, while picking up sandbags at a government office. “First be prepared, then we can face this typhoon.”
Chou Yi-tang, a government official working in the Siaogang district (home to the airport), shared that the typhoon has brought back somber memories of Thelma for older residents, prompting them to take extra precautions. In his district alone, over 700 sandbags have been distributed, a record number for a typhoon, with authorities working tirelessly to meet the increasing demand. “We were hit directly by the eyewall,” he recalled, referencing the events nearly five decades ago. “Power was out for two weeks and no water for almost a month. It was disastrous.”
In preparation for the storm’s potential impact, Taiwan’s defense ministry has placed over 38,000 troops on standby. The fire department has reported 35 injuries, primarily in the mountainous eastern county of Taitung.
As Taiwan braces itself for the arrival of Typhoon Krathon, residents and authorities are working together to minimize the potential risks and ensure the safety of the island’s population.
