Taiwan Prepares for Typhoon Krathon Rescue Efforts

Taiwan has mobilized nearly 40,000 troops in preparation for Typhoon Krathon rescue efforts as the storm approaches its southwestern coast. The storm is expected to bring a significant storm surge, prompting evacuations and emergency measures. On Tuesday, 19 sailors were airlifted to safety after abandoning a waterlogged ship. As the typhoon neared, some flights were cancelled, rail services suspended, and streets in Kaohsiung, a major port city, emptied as businesses and restaurants closed. Unlike most typhoons that strike Taiwan’s sparsely populated east, Krathon is set to make landfall on the flat western plain. It is forecast to hit Kaohsiung on Wednesday afternoon and move across central Taiwan before heading into the East China Sea. Kaohsiung, home to 2.7 million people, declared a public holiday and urged residents to stay indoors. The U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center has labeled Krathon a super typhoon, with wind speeds reaching 150 kph (93 mph).

“The storm surge could push tides inland, especially with heavy rain, making it difficult to drain water and causing flooding in coastal areas,” warned Li. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai compared the strength and path of the approaching storm to Typhoon Thelma in 1977, which killed 37 people and devastated the city. The defense ministry has 38,000 troops on standby as part of the Typhoon Krathon rescue efforts, while locals like fisherman Chen Ming-huang are bracing for impact, preparing their boats for the worst.

Nineteen sailors from a cargo vessel en route from China to Singapore were rescued by Taiwanese helicopters after the ship began to list off the southeast coast. They were taken to shelter on Orchid Island. The transport ministry reported 88 domestic and 24 international flights were canceled, with boats to outlying islands also halted. While the north-south high-speed rail remains operational, the southern-to-eastern line was closed. In Kaohsiung, shops and wet markets shut as streets emptied. Residents in Siaogang district practiced setting up metal barriers to prevent flooding, while others nearby stocked up on torches and emergency supplies.