The formidable Typhoon Kong-rey, one of the strongest storms to strike Taiwan in recent years, made landfall around midday in Chenggong, located in the southeast. According to initial reports from authorities, at least one person has died and 73 others have been injured.
The typhoon brought gusts reaching up to 184 km/h and torrential rainfall, striking the less populated southeastern region of the island at approximately 1:40 PM local time. Taiwan, home to a population of 23 million, is currently grappling with monsoon conditions that have necessitated numerous evacuations.
The fatality was a 56-year-old woman who lost her life when an uprooted tree fell onto her vehicle in Nantou County, situated in central Taiwan.
Even before the storm’s arrival, waves as high as ten meters were reported. Additionally, the National Fire Agency confirmed that at least 27 individuals sustained injuries due to severe weather conditions, particularly from landslides.
Initially classified as the most powerful typhoon of the year, Kong-rey now rivals Typhoon Gaemi, which was the strongest storm to impact Taiwan in the past eight years when it made landfall in July.
With a radius of 320 kilometers, Kong-rey is regarded as the widest typhoon to hit the island in nearly three decades. Forecasters have issued warnings regarding the “destructive” winds associated with Kong-rey.
