Taiwan came to a near standstill on Thursday as Super Typhoon Kong-rey loomed over the island, marking one of the most significant typhoons in recent decades. With cities and counties declaring a nationwide day off, financial markets closed, and all domestic flights grounded, Taiwan is poised to face Kong-rey’s unprecedented scale and strength. Predicted to be the largest storm in over 30 years, Kong-rey has authorities, residents, and the military on high alert as it barrels toward Taiwan’s eastern coast, sparking fears of severe flooding, landslides, and infrastructural damage.
The storm is anticipated to make landfall around midday on Thursday, with Taiwan’s mountainous and sparsely populated eastern region first in its path. The Taiwan Central Weather Administration (CWA) projects that nearly all parts of the island will experience Kong-rey’s impact, ranging from destructive winds to heavy rainfall, potentially causing hazardous conditions throughout Taiwan.
Forecasters expect up to 1.2 meters (approximately four feet) of rain in certain areas, which could result in catastrophic flooding, especially in the eastern and mountainous regions that are already vulnerable to landslides. With sustained wind speeds reaching up to 210 kilometers per hour, Kong-rey is categorized as a super typhoon, and officials urge caution as wind gusts and storm surges threaten coastal communities.
The CWA has issued a “Class 5” warning, which is the highest alert level in Taiwan. This warning signifies not only dangerous rainfall levels but also wind speeds capable of causing extensive damage to buildings, power lines, and vehicles.
In a bid to prioritize safety, Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) announced the cancellation of all domestic flights scheduled for Thursday, including routes to and from the surrounding islands of Kinmen and Penghu. International flights have also been affected, with cancellations and delays expected for routes passing through or near Taiwanese airspace.
The Taiwan Stock Exchange, usually bustling on a weekday, joined other businesses in halting its operations. Financial markets are expected to reopen only once the storm has passed and essential services have resumed.
Airport authorities at Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport are preparing for severe weather conditions, with protective measures in place to ensure safety in case of flooding or high winds. Local authorities have reinforced airport terminals, secured aircraft, and prepared emergency plans for passengers and staff.
Essential services are operating in emergency mode, with police, firefighters, and medical personnel on standby across the island. Hospitals have been briefed to prepare for potential injuries caused by the typhoon, and rescue teams are on alert for quick deployment if Kong-rey’s impact surpasses initial forecasts. Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has mobilized 36,000 troops for emergency relief and rescue efforts, ready to support first responders in the wake of potential disaster. Additionally, around 4,500 residents from high-risk areas have already been evacuated. Residents in coastal and mountainous areas, where landslides and flash floods are more likely, were urged to relocate temporarily to safer grounds.
To assist in rapid rescue operations, the government has established temporary shelters for displaced residents. Teams of medics and engineers are stationed across affected areas to provide immediate assistance. The Defense Ministry confirmed that aircraft and amphibious vehicles have been prepped to expedite transportation of supplies to the most isolated regions, should Kong-rey cut off access routes.
“This is an unprecedented storm in recent history, and we’re treating it with the utmost urgency. Every precaution is being taken to ensure public safety and protect infrastructure,” stated a Defense Ministry spokesperson.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, announced that it had activated its standard typhoon preparation protocols at all facilities. TSMC, a major supplier to tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, operates numerous factories across Taiwan, and even a brief disruption could have ripple effects across the global tech supply chain. In an email statement, TSMC assured the public and investors that significant impacts on operations were not anticipated.
“While we have taken all necessary precautions, we do not expect Super Typhoon Kong-rey to affect our production capacities materially. Our emergency response systems are in place, and we’re confident in the resilience of our infrastructure,” the company stated.
As part of their emergency procedures, TSMC has bolstered power backup systems, ensured secure storage of essential materials, and minimized non-essential operations. Other major corporations across Taiwan have followed suit, prioritizing employee safety by advising staff to work from home and rescheduling non-essential meetings.
Utility providers, including Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), have stationed emergency response teams across Taiwan to mitigate disruptions in power. Taipower reported that additional resources, such as backup generators and mobile repair units, have been dispatched to regions most vulnerable to Kong-rey’s effects. Residents have been advised to prepare for potential outages and to report emergencies immediately.
The Taiwanese government has issued strong advisories against travel to coastal and mountainous regions, where Kong-rey’s heavy rainfall could cause flash floods, landslides, and storm surges. These areas, largely concentrated in eastern Taiwan, are bracing for severe impacts due to their proximity to the typhoon’s expected landfall site. The CWA advised those near rivers and coastal areas to evacuate or seek higher ground.
Local authorities in Hualien, Taitung, and Yilan counties have bolstered defenses along riverbanks, inspected drainage systems, and set up barriers in vulnerable neighborhoods. Schools and offices in these regions are closed, with public shelters established to accommodate those seeking refuge from the storm.
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je echoed these advisories, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid potential danger zones. “It’s essential that people heed the warnings. We’re dealing with extreme weather that could change very quickly,” he stated during a press briefing.
Forecasts indicate that after making landfall, Kong-rey will lose some of its intensity as it moves westward across Taiwan, likely weakening to a tropical storm by the time it reaches the Taiwan Strait. It is expected to graze China’s southeastern coastline on Friday morning, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to parts of Fujian and Guangdong provinces. Chinese authorities are similarly on alert, with localized advisories issued in preparation for Kong-rey’s weakened state.
Experts suggest that while the storm will weaken, its remnants could still cause disruptions in nearby regions, including Hong Kong, as it moves toward the South China Sea.
Taiwan, located in a subtropical zone, often faces several typhoons each year. However, Kong-rey’s sheer size and strength have set it apart. Meteorologists attribute the typhoon’s unusual intensity to a combination of warmer-than-average sea temperatures and atmospheric conditions conducive to rapid storm formation.
Earlier this month, Typhoon Krathon struck Taiwan, resulting in four fatalities and significant property damage in southern Taiwan. Authorities and scientists have voiced concerns that rising sea temperatures and other climate variables could intensify the frequency and potency of typhoons affecting the region.
Environmental experts believe that Taiwan’s infrastructure will need further adaptation to withstand such powerful storms in the future. Taiwan has already invested heavily in reinforcing bridges, strengthening flood defenses, and ensuring that new buildings meet higher resilience standards. However, with storms like Kong-rey growing more common, experts call for further advancements in urban planning and climate adaptation to protect citizens and resources from the escalating impacts of climate change.
“Super Typhoon Kong-rey is a stark reminder of the growing climate risks we face. As these storms become more powerful, our preparedness and resilience must evolve to meet these new challenges,” commented Dr. Hsiu-ling Chen, a meteorologist at National Taiwan University.
