Taiwan is preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Krathon. Warnings have been issued for the southern regions of the island. The wind accompanying the element blows at a speed of 162 kilometers per hour.
Krathon has been classified as a moderate strength typhoon. The wind accompanying the element blows at a speed of 162 kilometers per hour. On Monday morning local time, it was located about 220 kilometers southeast of Cape Eluanbi, located in Pingdong County.
Due to the threat, the National Meteorological Service in Taiwan (Central Weather Administration – CWA) issued warnings for the counties of Taidong, Pingdong and Kaohsiung.
“Can hit with enormous force”
According to CWA, on Wednesday Krathon is expected to hit the large port city of Kaohsiung, and then move through the southern areas of the island and enter the Pacific. Forecasts show that the element may become even stronger and become the equivalent of a Thursday category hurricane on the five-point, increasing Saffir-Simpson scale.
“It can hit with tremendous force,” said Gene Huang of CWA. He added that it was very rare for such a powerful typhoon to hit the western regions of Taiwan.
Taiwan is occasionally hit by typhoons, but they usually strike along the mountainous and sparsely populated eastern coast.
Land warnings in TaiwanCWA
Services put on alert
Taiwanese authorities said 2,200 troops had been mobilized due to the approaching tropical cyclone. Boat trips to the remote islands of Taiwan have been suspended. The first disruptions in the operation of domestic flights are also occurring.
In July, Taiwan was hit by a typhoon Gaemiwhich took the lives of at least 11 people.
Reuters, NOAA, nytimes.com, focustaiwan.tw
Main photo source: cwa.gov.tw