Typhoon Kong-rey's Impact on Taiwan: Preparations and Aftermath
| Summary/Static | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in the news? | Typhoon Kong-rey, a major storm, made landfall in Taiwan, causing significant damage and disruption. |
| Overview | Largest typhoon to directly impact Taiwan in nearly 30 years. Made landfall on October 31, 2024, at 13:40 local time. |
| Typhoon Characteristics | Peak winds exceeded 200 km/h (Category 4 hurricane equivalent). Weakened to a "moderate typhoon" by the evening. |
| Impact | Over 70 injuries. At least 1 fatality (56-year-old woman struck by a falling tree). Widespread power outages affecting 500,000 households. |
| Preparatory Measures | Schools, workplaces, and financial markets closed. Supermarkets experienced shortages. Thousands evacuated from high-risk areas. |
| Unusual Timing | Occurred in late October, an atypical time for such storms. Two significant storms impacted Taiwan in October 2024. |
| Historical Context | Deadliest recent typhoon, Morakot (2009), caused nearly 900 fatalities with 2,777 mm of rainfall. Kong-rey expected to bring up to 1,200 mm of rainfall. |
| Government Response | 36,000 soldiers on standby. 8,600 individuals evacuated. Taiwanese President advised citizens to remain indoors. |