Taiwan, an island nation of approximately 23.5 million people, is preparing for the imminent arrival of Typhoon Krathon. The storm is expected to make landfall on October 3, 2024, prompting a nationwide shutdown of offices, schools, and financial markets.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan's largest port city and a major industrial center, lies directly in the path of the typhoon's eye. Local authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal, riverine, and mountainous areas. The approaching storm has evoked memories of Typhoon Thelma, which devastated the city in 1977, resulting in 37 fatalities.
Taiwan's location in the western Pacific Ocean makes it susceptible to typhoons, which typically occur between June and November. However, Krathon's projected path along the island's western plain is unusual, as most storms tend to impact the mountainous and less populated eastern coast.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA), established in 1941, forecasts that Krathon will make landfall between Kaohsiung and neighboring Tainan in the early hours of October 3, before progressing northward towards Taipei, the capital.
Despite the typhoon's weakening intensity, authorities remain vigilant due to the potential for storm surges, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. The threat is particularly significant for Taiwan's western coast, home to the majority of its population and industry, including the crucial semiconductor sector.
"Because of Typhoon Gaemi being quite severe earlier this year, everyone is more cautious and prepared this time around. First be prepared, then we can face this typhoon."
The memory of July 2024's Typhoon Gaemi, which claimed 11 lives, has heightened public awareness and preparedness. In Kaohsiung's Siaogang district, where the airport is situated, over 700 sandbags have been distributed – a record for typhoon preparations.
Taiwan's geography, with its varied terrain including the 3,952-meter Yushan (Jade Mountain) and over 150 short, steep rivers, contributes to the complexity of managing typhoon impacts. The island's position on the Tropic of Cancer and within the Pacific Ring of Fire further compounds its vulnerability to natural disasters.
In response to the approaching typhoon, Taiwan's defense ministry has placed more than 38,000 troops on standby. The fire department has already reported 35 injuries, primarily in Taitung, a mountainous eastern county.
As the island nation, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), braces for Typhoon Krathon, its resilience is once again put to the test. With its subtropical climate in the north and tropical conditions in the south, Taiwan continues to adapt to the challenges posed by its geographical location and climate patterns.