Taiwan issued a land warning on Monday ( Sep 30 ) ahead of Typhoon Krathon’s arrival, which is expected to pass through the island’s densely populated west coast, bringing torrential rain and strong winds.
Typhoons frequently strike Taiwan, but they typically land along its rocky and sparsely populated south coastline facing the Pacific.
Krathon, categorised as a medium-strength typhoon, is forecast to hit the major port city of Kaohsiung early on Wednesday, then work its way across the bottom tip of Taiwan and cross out into the Pacific, the Central Weather Administration ( CWA ) said.
According to Tropical Storm Risk, the typhoon is expected to grow to the size of a Category 4 storms and pack strong winds at more than 220 km/h near its center.
” The effect is getting bigger and bigger”, said Gene Huang, meteorologist at the CWA, pointing to threats to Taiwan’s south and adding it was “rare” for quite a strong typhoon to make a clear strike to the island’s northern plains.
Residents of the area were advised to be prepared for powerful breezes of more than 150 kilometers per hour.
More than 1, 000 plastic boats and 2, 200 men were on standby throughout Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s officials, including on the eastern shoreline, where up to 1.3 meters of weather are anticipated in the coming time.
Ships to Taiwan’s remote islands have already been canceled, and some private flights have been canceled.
In July, Typhoon Gaemi killed at least 11 individuals in Taiwan.