Typhoon Krathon – live: Taiwan braces for powerful storm after ‘very destructive’ rainfall in Philippines
Typhoon Krathon will cross through Taiwan’s densely populated west coast, including major port city of Kaohsiung
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A powerful typhoon has lashed the Philippines and is now churning towards Taiwan, prompting warnings and flight cancellations.
Krathon has been upgraded to a strong typhoon, with sustained winds reaching up to 175 kmph (109 mph) and gusts as high as 215 kmph (133 mph).
The slow-moving storm was blowing westward and could strengthen into a super typhoon when it veers northeastward on Tuesday towards Taiwan.
Taiwan issued a land warning this morning as forecasters warned the storm is expected to cross the island’s densely populated west coast, including the major port city of Kaohsiung, bringing torrential rain and strong winds.
“The impact is getting bigger and bigger,” said Gene Huang, forecaster at the CWA, pointing to threats to Taiwan’s southwest and adding it was “rare” for such a powerful typhoon to make a direct hit on the island’s western plains.
The storm has already lashed the northernmost islands of the Philippines, prompting officials to evacuate hundreds of villagers, shut down schools and inter-island ferries and warn of “potentially very destructive” rainfall in the region.
Philippines: People wade through flooded streets
Photos: Staff stock canned food at supermarkets in Taipei ahead of Typhoon Krathon
Over 500 people evacuated from Kaohsiung ahead of Typhoon Krathon
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan, 521 people have been evacuated from the mountainous regions of Kaohsiung today in anticipation of severe weather.
Local authorities issued landslide warnings for the districts of Taoyuan, Maolin, Namasia, and Liugui, prompting evacuations.
Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai inspected disaster preparedness measures, including flood control systems and the city’s 91 pumping stations, Taiwan News reported.
Kaohsiung is bracing for heavy rainfall, with estimates suggesting up to 800 mm in the mountainous areas.
Schools were moved online and 23,000 sandbags have been distributed across the city to help residents prepare for flooding.
Forecast animation shows path of Typhoon Krathon
A forecast animation from Zoom Earth, a privately-run weather tracker, shows Typhoon Krathon’s projected path as it heads toward southern Taiwan.
The animation shows the typhoon's intense wind gusts and possible landfall near Kaohsiung, with winds expected to exceed 200 kmph.
However, the storm's interaction with Taiwan's mountainous terrain could lead to unpredictable changes in its direction, making the exact landfall location difficult to forecast.
Satellite image shows Typhoon Krathon's intensity
A satellite image taken from Japan's Himawari-9 a while back shows Typhoon Krathon swirling over the Luzon Strait, between the Philippines and Taiwan.
The well-defined eye and dense cloud bands show that Krathon has grown in strength, as it moves northwest toward Taiwan.
The typhoon's spiral structure is clear, with intense thunderstorms surrounding the eye, a hallmark of a strong storm.
Video: Philippine Coast Guard tows stranded speedboat amid Typhoon Krathon
Travel disruptions and closures due to Typhoon Krathon
Coastal and national park areas have been closed in Taiwan as a precaution, and ferry services have been suspended across several regions.
The rail line connecting southern Taiwan to the east coast was halted on Monday afternoon due to the storm, though the north-south high-speed railway continues to operate as normal.
Despite the disruptions, international flights from Taipei have not yet been affected, according to the transport ministry.
Typhoon Krathon forecast: Storm to hit Taiwan's populated west coast
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a warning for the western and southern regions of the country as Typhoon Krathon approaches.
Extremely heavy rainfall, potentially exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours, is expected in areas such as Hualien, Taitung, Orchid Island, and Green Island.
Heavy rain warnings have also been extended to other areas, including Yilan County and mountainous regions of Taipei, New Taipei, and the port city of Kaohsiung.
Authorities have deployed thousands of soldiers and rubber boats to southern and eastern Taiwan, anticipating potential flooding and landslides.
Hong Kong set to experience extreme heat amid Typhoon Krathon
Hong Kong is set to experience scorching temperatures today and tomorrow as Typhoon Krathon approaches southern Taiwan.
Though the storm is not expected to directly affect Hong Kong, the city will feel the heat due to the typhoon's outer subsiding air, causing temperatures to soar across southern China, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
Despite Krathon remaining over 500 kilometres from Hong Kong, residents were advised to stay hydrated and take precautions against the heat on these very hot days.
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