In brief
Super Typhoon Kong-rey is advancing towards Taiwan, intensifying into what could be one of the most powerful storms to strike the island late in the season. Local authorities are taking precautions as the storm is forecasted to hit with hurricane-level winds and heavy rainfall.
On Wednesday, Kong-rey was tracking near the northern Philippines, which had recently faced disruption from Tropical Storm Trami, resulting in the loss of at least 139 lives and 21 individuals still reported missing. As it neared Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration issued a land warning, signaling sustained winds of over 39 miles per hour expected within 18 hours.Taiwan's Premier, Cho Jung-tai, emphasized the seriousness of the situation during a visit to the Central Weather Administration, noting that the intense rainfall from Kong-rey could lead to landslides and road closures in the island's eastern regions. In response, various measures have been enacted, including the grounding of flights and directing fishing boats to return to shore for safety.In addition, meteorologists are monitoring the storm closely as it has the potential to land as a Category 4 hurricane. With the expected conditions, civilian safety and storm preparations remain top priorities for Taiwanese authorities.
