Typhoon Krathon has wreaked havoc across southwestern Taiwan, leaving at least two fatalities and widespread destruction as it struck cities with devastating winds and torrential rains. The storm made landfall on the afternoon of October 3, primarily hitting the major port city of Kaohsiung, stirring chaos and causing the island to shut down for two consecutive days.
The typhoon approached Kaohsiung as what was classified as equivalent to a weakened Category 1 hurricane, bringing with it wind gusts exceeding 135 kilometers per hour (85 miles per hour). Prior to this impact, reports indicated it had hovered ominously off Taiwan’s southwestern coast after passing through the northern Philippines as a much stronger super typhoon.
According to local emergency services, the two victims were a 66-year-old individual hit by falling rocks and another aged 70 who fell from a tree he was trimming. Over 219 injuries have been recorded, and officials reported one person still missing. The brutal winds and severe rainfall knocked out power for more than 100,000 homes, heavily affecting Kaohsiung and surrounding areas, with authorities scrambling to restore service.
- Chou Yi-tang, a government official from the Siaogang district, noted the severity of the storm, saying, “It’s very powerful. It’s been a long time since such a big storm made landfall here.”
The local government took proactive measures, closing schools, offices, and the stock market — marking only the third time such closures occurred since 2016 due to extreme weather. Affected flights — both domestic and international — were grounded with over 242 flights canceled, contributing to widespread travel disruptions.
Krathon is particularly noteworthy for its unusual path; unlike the common storms which primarily strike Taiwan's eastern shore, it approached from the west, prompting local media to label it as “weird.” This unique direction led to extensive evacuations as mountainous and low-lying areas faced severe risks related to landslides and flooding. Some parts of southern Taiwan saw rain accumulations top more than 1.6 meters (5.2 feet), burying roads under mud and rocks.
Causing chaos throughout the region, additional tragedies surfaced from separate incidents unrelated to Krathon, such as nine deaths resulting from an electrical fire at Taichung's hospital, which Fiat authorities believe was not directly related to the storm but significantly complicated emergency response efforts.
Local government prepared for this storm diligently due to memories of past devastation, especially recalling Typhoon Thelma from 1977 which resulted in substantial casualties and destruction across Kaohsiung. Officials had mobilized emergency services and military personnel to address various emergency situations stemming from the storm, demonstrating the heavy weight of precautionary planning.
Authorities urged the public to remain indoors, as aerial surveillance revealed many residents ignoring safety advisories and venturing outside during the height of the typhoon. Mayor Chen Chi-mai of Kaohsiung expressed his concerns about the blatant disregard for safety, highlighting the potentially deadly consequences, “Looking at surveillance cameras, we can see there are still too many people outside.”
Looking forward, Krathon is expected to slowly traverse the western plains of Taiwan, gradually weakening to a tropical depression as it makes its way northward before reaching the capital, Taipei. Weather predictions suggest continued heavy rain across parts of northern and central Taiwan, exacerbated by the destruction already brought on by the typhoon.
Local governments are urging continued vigilance as forecasts indicate potential flooding and landslides, particularly for those near rivers and mountainous landscapes. Today, officials continue their efforts of assessing damage, distributing relief efforts, and preparing for the next phases of recovery from Typhoon Krathon's monumental impact — marking yet another chapter of fierce weather challenges faced by Taiwan.
