Published: 13:47, October 2, 2024
Taiwan shuts down for Typhoon Krathon, torrential rain forecast
By Agencies

A car moves along the shore in Kaohsiung, Oct 2, 2024, as Typhoon Krathon is expected to hit the area. (PHOTO / AP)

KAOHSIUNG - Taiwan shut down on Wednesday, grounding hundreds of flights and closing schools, offices and financial markets ahead of the arrival of a weakening Typhoon Krathon, forecast to lash the coast with storm surges and torrential rain.

Officials in the key port city of Kaohsiung, set to be in the eye of the storm, told people to stay home and avoid the sea, rivers and mountains, warning of a repeat of 1977's Typhoon Thelma that killed 37 and devastated the city of 2.7 million.

Although the typhoon has weakened, the threats from a storm surge, strong winds and rain remain as it slowly makes its way towards Taiwan's coast, weather forecasters said.

All the island's cities and counties declared a day off, shutting financial markets and cancelling flights, while more than 10,000 people were evacuated, mostly in the south and east.

ALSO READ: Taiwan issues typhoon warning as Krathon nears

Typhoons often hit Taiwan's mountainous and sparsely populated east coast facing the Pacific, but Krathon is set to make landfall on its flat western plain.

It is forecast to hit between Kaohsiung and its neighboring city of Tainan in the early hours of Thursday, before heading northeast up towards Taipei, weather forecasters said.

"Because of Typhoon Gaemi being quite severe earlier this year, everyone is more cautious and prepared this time around," said sales representative Yu Ren-yu, 35, referring to July's storm that killed 11.

READ MORE: Deadly typhoon Gaemi made worse by climate change, scientists say

"First be prepared, then we can face this typhoon."

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major Apple and Nvidia supplier, said on Tuesday it did not expect the typhoon would have a significant impact on operations.