Taiwan expects Hurricane Kong-rey to make landfall on Thursday on the island’s sparsely populated east coast, issuing a warning on Wednesday forward of the highly effective storm which can deliver driving rain and powerful winds throughout a swath of the island.
Packing gusts of greater than 230 kph (143 mph), Kong-rey has strengthened into the equal of a Class 4 hurricane and is anticipated to additional intensify earlier than hitting land in Taitung county, based on Tropical Storm Danger.
The storm is then forecast to cross Taiwan’s south, enter the Taiwan Strait and head in the direction of China, Taiwan’s Central Climate Administration mentioned.
As much as 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) of rainfall is anticipated in mountainous jap Taiwan and damaging winds are prone to hit coastal areas on Thursday, based on the administration.
Forecaster Stan Chang mentioned it was comparatively uncommon for a powerful hurricane to immediately hit Taiwan this late within the yr, pointing to the nonetheless beneficial surroundings for typhoons, together with hotter sea temperatures within the Pacific and a later than regular chilly entrance from the north.
Chang mentioned Kong-rey is prone to additional strengthen right into a “robust hurricane”, essentially the most highly effective storm degree for Taiwan.
“We should urge folks to make preparations. It’s a powerful hurricane with a big dimension,” he added. Heavy rain can also be anticipated within the north across the capital Taipei all through the day on Thursday, the administration mentioned.
Subtropical Taiwan is steadily hit by typhoons. The final one, Hurricane Krathon, killed 4 folks earlier this month because it handed via the south of the island.
