Super Typhoon Kong-rey is heading towards Taiwan, with forecasters predicting it to be one of the most powerful storms in years. As the storm approaches, winds are already reaching maximum speeds of 240 km/h, expected to accelerate to 250 km/h before making landfall on Thursday. More than a metre of rain could fall in the hardest-hit areas, leading to warnings of landslides and evacuations in vulnerable regions.
Classes and work were suspended in Taitung county, where Kong-rey is expected to hit directly, and ferry services and domestic flights were cancelled. Residents in Taipei are stocking up on supplies, while fishers in Yilan county are preparing for the storm. Eastern and northern coastal areas of Taiwan are expected to be hit the hardest, with Yilan and Hualien accumulating up to 1,200 millimeters of rainfall.
Authorities have begun evacuating residents in preparation for the storm in Kaohsiung, Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. President Lai Ching-te urged people to stay alert and avoid going to the mountains or the sea. Kong-rey is moving quickly and is forecasted to bring strong winds and torrential rain.
Taiwan is familiar with tropical storms from July to October, but the intensity of Kong-rey is unusual for this time of year. Scientists warn that climate change is leading to stronger storms with heavier rains and stronger gusts. This will be the third typhoon to hit Taiwan since July, following Gaemi and Krathon, which caused fatalities, injuries, and widespread damage.
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