AFP – Taiwan shut down schools and closed its financial markets yesterday as Typhoon Krathon pounded its south and east with torrential rains and winds ahead of its expected landfall.
Krathon, packing sustained wind speeds of 162 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 198 kph – was 120 kilometres southwest of the major port city Kaohsiung as of 3pm, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The typhoon, downgraded overnight to medium from strong under Taiwan’s measurement system, is now expected to arrive near Kaohsiung or Tainan this morning, the agency said, a day later than previously forecast.
“This typhoon is moving very slowly. The time of its landfall continues to be delayed,” said CWA chief Cheng Chia-ping. Offices and schools were closed with around 10,000 people evacuated from vulnerable areas as a precaution. The public was urged to stay at home during the typhoon and remain vigilant.
All domestic flights and ferry services were cancelled yesterday, and around 250 international flights were suspended. Nearly 40,000 troops were on standby for relief efforts, sources said. A 70-year-old man was rushed to hospital after he fell while trimming trees on Tuesday. He died in hospital yesterday and was listed as the first typhoon fatality, the National Fire Agency said.
