Taiwan expects super typhoon to make landfall on Thursday

30/10/2024 13:18

        Taiwan expects Super Typhoon Kong-rey to make landfall on Thursday along the sparsely populated east coast, issuing a warning on Wednesday ahead of the powerful storm which will bring heavy rain and strong winds across a swath of the island.
        
        According to U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center, packing gusts of nearly 300 kph (186 mph), the storm has strengthened into a super typhoon and is expected to further intensify before hitting land in Taitung county.
        
        The storm is then forecast to cross Taiwan's south, enter the Taiwan Strait and head towards China, Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said, which labeled the storm as a "strong typhoon", the most powerful storm level for Taiwan.
        
        Up to 1.2 metres (3.9 feet) of rainfall is expected in mountainous eastern Taiwan and destructive winds are likely to hit coastal areas on Thursday, according to the administration.
        
        Taiwan President Lai Ching-te urged people to stay away from the mountains and coast.