Typhoon Kong-rey Strikes Taiwan: A Late and Powerful Challenge

As Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall on Taiwan's eastern coast, residents faced the brunt of a violent storm recognized as the most substantial typhoon to impact the island in nearly three decades. Schools and businesses closed on Thursday, with millions preparing for winds exceeding 200 km/h. Reports indicate over 70 injuries and at least one fatality, attributed to extreme weather conditions. The typhoon has led to widespread power outages affecting half a million households and has posed substantial challenges for rescue efforts among the government forces on standby.

The storm's unusual late-season occurrence, occurring in late October, disrupts the typical typhoon calendar, traditionally spanning across July to September. With the eastern region under the greatest threat, meteorological forecasts predict powerful rainfall totaling 1,200mm. Taiwanese authorities are executing evacuations in high-risk areas, with President Lai Ching-te advising citizens to stay indoors. Kong-rey’s trajectory suggests a gradual weakening as it progresses, leaving a significant impact in its wake.

The ongoing climatic changes, underlined by near-record global sea surface temperatures, are essential considerations for understanding these intense storm systems. коррекция