Typhoon Kong-rey has struck Taiwan with unrelenting ferocity, causing devastation across the island and leaving at least three people dead and over 690 others injured as of Saturday afternoon, November 2, 2024. According to Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC), the storm has resulted in more than 10,000 incidents of damage and widespread infrastructure disruption.
The super typhoon, which reached wind speeds nearing 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour), made landfall late Thursday, October 31, 2024, near Taitung County on the eastern coast. This event marked Kong-rey as one of the most powerful storms to land on the island in recent years, raising concerns and prompting extensive emergency measures. President Lai Ching-te urged residents to remain vigilant and stay clear of mountainous and coastal areas.
"I want my friends in the eastern, southern and northern parts of the country to be on alert," wrote Lai on his Facebook page, underlining the threatening nature of the weather.
Among the grim casualties reported, the first was a 56-year-old female foreign national who lost her life when her vehicle was struck by a falling tree early Thursday. On the same day, another fatal incident occurred when a utility pole fell onto the motorcycle of a 48-year-old man in Taipei, which caused his death. A third victim, identified as a migrant worker, died after falling from a work platform during the storm.
Rescue operations have been hampered significantly due to the storm's impact. For example, one area, Smangus, remained isolated as bridges were damaged and debris blocked roads. By Saturday afternoon, 155 individuals were reported to have sought refuge in 10 emergency shelters set up across various cities, including Taoyuan and Hualien.
With rainfall amounts predicted to exceed 4 feet—near-record levels—the Central Weather Administration (CWA) projected severe flooding across wide swaths of the island. CWA forecaster Stan Chang emphasized the unusual intensity of this late-year storm caused by favorable conditions, including warmer sea temperatures and later-than-expected cold fronts.
Taiwan’s defense ministry has placed approximately 36,000 troops on standby across various regions of the island. This precaution reflects the anticipated severe weather patterns and the government's commitment to ensuring public safety. The CWA maintains it is relatively uncommon for such powerful typhoons to hit Taiwan this late in the year, underscoring the severity of Kong-rey's impact.
Further complicities arose as power outages overtook significant portions of the country. Reports indicated more than 950,000 households across several cities—including the capital Taipei—were left without power. Restoration efforts are underway, yet local predictions suggest complete recovery may not be realized until later Sunday.
The agricultural sector suffered extensive losses estimated at over 480 million New Taiwan dollars (around $15 million). Crops such as rice, garlic, food corn, custard apples, and peanuts were significantly affected, predominantly within Hualien and Yunlin counties. The post-storm inspection revealed angry farmers expressing their grief over the damage to their livelihood.
Local news media have reported additional concerns about the handling of recovery operations. Critics have pointed to prior typhoons, including Typhoon Krathon earlier this month, which also caused fatalities and infrastructure damage across the island. Efforts to aid the victims of previous storms are still progressing.
Despite the havoc wreaked by the super typhoon, the resilience of the Taiwanese people remains markedly evident. Authorities have encouraged community support and coordination as they work tirelessly to facilitate recovery efforts and assist those affected. Heartwarming accounts of neighborly kindness were shared, with groups collecting donations to support those displaced by the storm.
While Kong-rey affects Taiwan, it is expected to travel northwards, potentially impacting southern parts of Japan as it progresses. The Japan Meteorological Agency has started preparing for the approach of the remnants of the typhoon, which could bring additional rain and thunderstorms as it spreads east.
With recovery efforts now underway, Taiwan's citizens face another challenge—dealing with the aftermath of Typhoon Kong-rey and the potential for future storms. The resilience shown by the nation during this crisis may serve as an inspiration for many as they work through the challenges posed by natural disasters and the unpredictability of climate-change effects on weather patterns.
