Typhoon Krathon nears Taiwan's west coast, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and mass evacuations

Typhoon Krathon, carrying powerful winds and relentless rain, slowly advanced toward Taiwan on Wednesday, leading to mass evacuations in areas prone to flooding and landslides. Over 3,000 people have been relocated from vulnerable locations, including low-lying and mountainous regions.

Coastal Taitung County has already seen over 93 centimeters (3 feet) of rain in the past four days, while Kaohsiung, a major port city, recorded 29 centimeters (11.4 inches). Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration expects the typhoon to make landfall on the densely populated west coast early Thursday.

Krathon currently packs maximum sustained winds of 173 kph (108 mph) with gusts reaching up to 209 kph (130 mph). While typhoons typically hit Taiwan’s eastern regions, this one is set to impact the west coast—a rare occurrence.

In preparation, authorities have shut down schools and government offices across the island. All domestic flights have been canceled. Rescue teams comprising nearly 40,000 troops are on standby.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas, comparing the storm’s intensity to that of Typhoon Thelma, which devastated Kaohsiung in 1977, claiming 37 lives. Despite weakening, Krathon remains a significant threat, with officials warning of continued risks of landslides and floods.

Elsewhere, the typhoon had already struck northern Philippine islands, where it killed four people and displaced over 5,000. The storm center was 130 kilometers (81 miles) southwest of Kaohsiung by Wednesday noon, moving at a slow pace of 8 kph (5 mph) and expected to weaken after landfall.

In Kaohsiung, most businesses and restaurants have closed for the second straight day, with residents stocking up on essentials like bread, meats, and instant noodles from supermarket shelves. Taiwan braces for the full force of the storm, with the nation on high alert as Krathon approaches.