Typhoon Kong-rey hits Taiwan leaving atleast 27 injured and two tourists missing

Storm brought intense winds and heavy rain at 184km/ph, prompting widespread evacuations of 8600 residents

Taiwan is grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Kong-rey, which made landfall on October 31, 2024, injuring at least 27 people and leaving two foreign tourists from the Czech Republic missing.

The powerful storm brought intense winds and heavy rain, prompting widespread evacuations and significant disruption across the island.

As Kong-rey approached, the Central Emergency Operation Center reported failed communication attempts with the missing tourists, who were believed to be hiking in Taroko Gorge.

Meanwhile, authorities have evacuated approximately 8,600 residents from vulnerable areas, particularly in New Taipei, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien, and Taitung counties.

The typhoon's impact has been severe, with maximum wind speeds reaching 184 kilometers per hour (114 mph) and waves reported as high as 10 meters.

The National Fire Agency confirmed that one fatality occurred when a tree fell on a vehicle in Nantou County. Additionally, several injuries were attributed to falling debris and mudslides, with four mudslides recorded in various locations.

In response to the impending storm, Taiwan's government suspended work and classes across the island and canceled over 500 domestic and international flights.

Essential services, including police and emergency responders, remained operational, while banks and financial markets closed their doors due to the dangerous weather conditions.

Typhoon Kong-rey is one of the strongest storms to hit Taiwan in years, and its effects were felt widely, with streets in the capital city of Taipei largely deserted as residents heeded evacuation orders and warnings to stay indoors.

Many residents, familiar with the island's typhoon season, reported taking precautions but expressed concern about the intensity of this particular storm.

Taiwan is no stranger to typhoons, experiencing several severe storms each year, particularly from July to October. Kong-rey is the third major typhoon to impact the island since July, following Typhoon Gaemi, which resulted in at least ten fatalities, and Typhoon Krathon, which also caused deaths and significant flooding.

The Central Weather Administration has warned that Kong-rey could bring over a meter of rain in the hardest-hit areas by Friday, exacerbating the risk of landslides and flooding.

Climate change has been linked to an increase in the intensity and frequency of storms, raising concerns about future weather-related disasters.

In preparation for the storm, Taiwan's military placed nearly 35,000 troops on standby to assist with relief efforts. President Lai Ching-te urged residents to avoid risky behavior, such as visiting coastal areas to watch the high waves.

As emergency services continue to assess the situation, local authorities remain focused on ensuring public safety and coordinating response efforts in the wake of Kong-rey's devastation.