Taiwan is preparing to face strong Typhoon Kung-ri

Taiwan closed its schools and offices, evacuated thousands of people, and halted work Flights, financial markets were closed, land and sea warnings were issued, and the army was mobilized in preparation for Typhoon Kong Ri’s landfall on Thursday as one of the strongest storms to hit the island in 30 years.

Winds are expected to reach 127 mph, and the approaching storm is expected to reach the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane along Taiwan’s east coast on Thursday, according to meteorologists.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior, 8,600 people had been evacuated in nine cities and provinces on the island as of Thursday morning.

“This typhoon is moving quickly and will bring strong winds and heavy rain,” Taiwan Prime Minister Zhu Jong-tai said. He said on Facebook.

Kong-ri was in the Philippine Sea early Thursday morning local time after overtaking the northern Philippines, which was hit by Tropical Storm Trami last week. the The Philippine government said On Wednesday, the two storms combined left at least 139 people dead and at least 21 others missing.

All of Taiwan was Under land and sea warnings Early Thursday, according to the Central Meteorological Department. Land warnings are issued when hurricane winds are expected to reach at least 39 mph within 18 hours, according to the agency. Sea warnings are issued when a typhoon radius of sustained winds of at least 34 knots, or 39 mph, reaches within 100 kilometers, about 62 miles, of the coast of Taiwan within 24 hours.

As the typhoon passes Taiwan, the mountains running through the center of the storm island are expected to weaken, leaving the eastern side of the island receiving most of the rain.

But even after passing Taiwan, Kung-Rai will likely remain a typhoon as it emerges over the Taiwan Strait and heads toward southern Japan and China, where it could make landfall again on Friday.

weather warnings, Including warnings of very heavy rainextended across Taiwan on Thursday. Central Meteorological Administration I mentioned About four feet of rain is expected in mountainous eastern Taiwan.

As of Thursday morning, Flights in Taiwan were canceled due to Kong Ri. Some ferry services in southeastern Taiwan were suspended, and fishing boats were called to shore. In the eastern coastal city of Hualien, which was struck by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in April, authorities prepared supplies and vehicles to help evacuate people.

In the northeastern province of Yilan, strong winds and rain hit by early Wednesday. In Suao Port in Yilan, which is usually crowded with military and civilian ships, some ships docked at the port.

The Taiwanese government has banned hikers from entering mountainous areas and closed some parks in scenic eastern areas.

Taiwanese on social media expressed their concern about the arrival of such a strong storm at the beginning of winter. Although hurricanes occur year-round, most storms in the western Pacific form from May to October.

Many fans of Taiwanese pop group Mayday were dismayed afterward Canceled Her concerts, which were scheduled for Friday and the weekend.

Kong Ri was circling towards eastern Taiwan with a picturesque look and a big eye. Forecasters at the Joint Hurricane Warning Center warned that as the storm approaches the coast, it may become erratic, with changes in its speed and direction, and may weaken slightly before making landfall on Thursday.

Regardless of any weakness, Kong Ri will be a strong storm as it approaches Taiwan.

“Typhoon Kong-ri – climate geek”, experienced typhoon chaser, James ReynoldsPosted on social media sites. “Its track towards Taiwan and potential landfall density will make it a once-in-a-generation (if not longer) storm.”

If Kong Ri makes landfall as the equivalent of a Category 4 typhoon, it will be the strongest typhoon to hit Taiwan late this year. According to Brian McNoldy, a researcher at the University of Miami, the most recent hurricane equivalent to a Category 2 or stronger hurricane to directly hit Taiwan was Krosa on October 6, 2007, knocking out power to nearly half a million homes and disrupting air and wind. Marine traffic when it reached shore.

After making landfall in Taiwan, Typhoon Kong-ri is expected to decrease in intensity as it heads towards China. The China Meteorological Administration said many provinces and cities in the country’s southeast, including Shanghai, the country’s financial hub, will brace for heavy rain and winds on Friday through the end of the week.