Towering five-metre waves crashed against Taiwan’s eastern shores on Wednesday as Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled towards the island. Expected to intensify further before making landfall, Kong-Rey could be the most powerful typhoon to strike Taiwan in years, with forecasters warning of potential devastation from high winds, intense rainfall, and dangerous landslides in vulnerable areas.
As Kong-rey nears, it has already clocked sustained winds of 240 kilometers per hour, and the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts that these could accelerate to a staggering 250 kilometers per hour before the storm hits Taiwan’s sparsely populated southeastern coast on Thursday. The looming storm has spurred wide-ranging preparations and prompted both local authorities and residents to brace for its severe impact.
Forecasts from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) have triggered significant concern, with officials calling for immediate precautions in areas most likely to be affected by Kong-rey’s powerful gusts and heavy rainfall. “If Kong-rey maintains its current wind speed, it will be the largest typhoon in eight years,” Chang Chun-yao, a forecaster with the CWA, reported.
The typhoon is anticipated to unload over a meter of rainfall on Taiwan’s eastern and mountainous regions by Friday, exacerbated by seasonal monsoon patterns already saturating the island. Yilan and Hualien counties, known for their rugged coastlines and mountainous terrain, are expected to be especially hard-hit, with the CWA predicting up to 1,200 millimeters of rain across the two counties by week’s end.
Taiwan’s government has responded swiftly, mobilizing disaster relief teams and enforcing mandatory evacuations in high-risk areas. On Wednesday, local authorities began evacuating residents in low-lying and slope regions of Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung counties, as well as the southern port city of Kaohsiung. These areas are particularly susceptible to landslides and flash flooding, raising fears of further damage in regions still recovering from previous storms.
In Taitung County, where Kong-rey is expected to make landfall, officials suspended work and classes and halted dozens of ferry and domestic flights. Meanwhile, residents are preparing for a potential onslaught, stocking up on essentials and making efforts to secure property and livestock. Taipei markets were bustling as locals rushed to gather fresh food and other necessities in anticipation of the typhoon’s arrival.
Across the island, fishing communities are also on high alert, with boats secured tightly against strong winds and the threat of rising waves. In the harbor city of Yilan, Captain Chen, a local fisherman, expressed deep concern: “Of course I’m worried. All my assets are here.”
Forecasters have warned that Kong-rey’s path could deliver heavy rainfall across Taiwan’s northern, eastern, and central regions, while the island’s central and southern mountains could see additional localized rainfall. With waterlogged soil from recent storms, the threat of landslides is particularly alarming. The Soil and Water Conservation Bureau has urged extreme caution, especially in regions with unstable ground following recent seismic activity.
“There is heightened concern as some recovery work from the last typhoon has yet to begin, and extra caution is advised for areas affected by recent earthquakes,” said Chen-yu Chen, head of disaster monitoring at the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau.
In the capital, Taipei, and other urban centers, authorities are urging people to remain indoors and avoid travel to mountainous or coastal areas. President Lai Ching-te took to social media to remind the public of the storm’s potential dangers, warning residents to stay alert and monitor weather advisories closely. “This typhoon is moving fast and will bring strong wind and torrential rain,” Lai posted on Facebook, calling for caution and safety awareness.
The arrival of Kong-rey marks Taiwan’s third encounter with a typhoon since July, underscoring a particularly active storm season. In July, Typhoon Gaemi struck Taiwan, leaving a path of destruction that included ten fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and widespread flooding. Earlier this month, Typhoon Krathon ravaged the island, killing at least four people and sparking mudslides and record-breaking wind gusts.
The intensity and frequency of these storms have raised questions about climate change’s role in exacerbating tropical weather patterns in the Pacific. Scientists have noted that warmer ocean temperatures contribute to stronger storms, capable of causing increased rainfall and destructive winds. While Taiwan typically experiences typhoon activity from July through October, the arrival of such a powerful storm in late October is unusual.
“Historically, typhoons of this magnitude rarely strike Taiwan this late in the year. The last occurrence was Typhoon Nock-ten in October 2004,” noted forecaster Chang. Such unseasonal storms further compound the challenges facing local governments and emergency response teams, with frequent, high-intensity storms wearing down infrastructure and requiring considerable recovery efforts.
Despite the growing challenges posed by climate change, Taiwan’s infrastructure and local communities have adapted significantly over the years to withstand the impacts of typhoons. In urban areas, reinforced buildings and sophisticated drainage systems have helped limit casualties and economic losses from storms. Local governments have also intensified efforts in recent years to improve evacuation protocols, storm monitoring, and early warning systems.
Residents, too, have grown accustomed to preparing for storms, though Super Typhoon Kong-rey’s strength is prompting extra precautions. Markets in Taipei saw a surge in demand for fresh vegetables and other essentials as residents stocked up. “When a typhoon comes, everyone cooks at home, so they will buy more,” explained an elderly vendor surnamed Tsai.
Fishing communities, which often face the brunt of these storms, have adopted numerous safety measures, including tethering boats and securing nets, in anticipation of Kong-rey’s arrival. Many fishers were seen clad in rain slickers as they prepared for the storm.
Taiwan’s National Fire Agency has mobilized emergency response teams, with resources on standby to address expected downed power lines, damaged buildings, and potential flood rescues. With Kong-rey’s winds capable of toppling street signs and uprooting trees, emergency personnel are stationed across urban centers and high-risk areas, ready to respond to the aftermath.
The government has also set up temporary shelters and mobilized community volunteers to assist vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and disabled, who may struggle to evacuate in time. Authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation warnings and use shelters if necessary.
As the typhoon inches closer, residents across Taiwan find themselves balancing a sense of resilience with inevitable concern. With vivid memories of recent typhoons, many people are following Kong-rey’s trajectory closely and staying updated on weather alerts to make critical, timely decisions.
The cumulative damage from repeated typhoons this season has already strained Taiwan’s public infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. In Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s largest port city and a region vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding, rebuilding efforts from Typhoon Gaemi have been delayed by subsequent storms, adding to the financial and logistical challenges.
Local governments have reported infrastructure challenges in road repairs, bridge reinforcements, and the restoration of essential services in remote communities. Typhoon Gaemi, which wrought significant damage in July, left several communities isolated due to landslides, and recovery efforts have been ongoing since then. Many roads remain only partially accessible, and Kong-rey’s arrival could further hinder efforts to restore these essential routes.
As Taiwan continues to face increasingly severe typhoons, the country’s approach to storm preparedness offers critical insights into disaster management. In recent years, Taiwan has invested in advanced storm tracking technologies and strengthened building codes to reduce fatalities and property loss. The Central Weather Administration’s use of cutting-edge radar and satellite data enables more accurate forecasts, which are crucial for informing timely evacuations.
Taiwan’s example highlights the importance of localized storm readiness in a warming world. The government’s proactive communication and detailed emergency planning serve as models for other typhoon-prone regions. Still, as storms intensify globally, countries in typhoon belts, from the Philippines to Japan, are also revising their infrastructure and policies to better protect citizens from extreme weather.
