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Typhoon Kong-rey hits Taiwan – BBC News

Beyond the extreme wind speeds of typhoons, one of the biggest threats to life from these storms is often the huge amount of moisture they carry, which can lead to excessive rain, floods and landslides.

The deadliest storm to hit Taiwan in recent decades was Typhoon Morakot in August 2009. The Category 1 storm dumped 2,777 mm of rain over the south of the island, unleashing flash floods and landslides that killed nearly 900 people.

The eastern part of Taiwan, which is set to be hardest hit by Typhoon Kong-rey, may see up to 1,200mm of rainfall between 29 October and 1 November, according to the island’s weather agency forecasters.

Taiwan’s defence ministry put 36,000 soldiers on standby for potential rescue efforts. Around 8,600 people have already been evacuated from high risk areas, authorities said.

Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te, who attended a briefing about the typhoon on Thursday morning, urged people to stay at home and avoid dangerous areas such as going to the beach to watch the waves.

Kong-rey is expected to weaken gradually after making landfall and moving across Taiwan. The storm should leave the island on Friday, the weather agency said.


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