A powerful and rapidly intensifying typhoon is bearing down on Taiwan, killing at least one person and injuring dozens as authorities close financial markets, schools, and offices. Conditions have worsened as Typhoon Gaemi brought heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and a dangerous storm surge. The storm is expected to strengthen into a super typhoon before making landfall on Taiwan’s northeastern coast Wednesday afternoon.
Fatalities and Injuries in Southern Taiwan
A woman was killed by a collapsed tree while riding a motorbike in the southern city of Kaohsiung, according to Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC). At least 58 other people have been wounded, primarily in Kaohsiung and Tainan.
Storm’s Path and Intensity
Gaemi, currently equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, has maximum sustained winds of 230 kph (145 mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). It is forecast to move toward China’s Fujian province on Thursday, bringing strong winds and downpours to an area already affected by extreme rain and deadly flooding.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall along the coast of Yilan county, near the epicenter of April’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Hualien, which was the largest Taiwan had seen in 25 years, injuring more than 1,000 people and collapsing buildings.
Precautions and Preparations
Taiwan’s Central Meteorological Agency (CMA) has issued a sea and land typhoon warning for the entire main island as Gaemi’s winds are expected to strengthen further to 240 kph (150 mph). Taiwan President Lai Ching-te inspected the CEOC headquarters in Taipei on Wednesday morning, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Heavy rain has already hit Taiwan ahead of the storm’s landfall, with mountainous areas reporting rainfall between 275 to 518 mm (10.8 to 20.3 inches). Most Taiwanese cities, including the capital Taipei, chipmaking hub Hsinchu, and Kaohsiung, closed schools and offices on Wednesday. Taiwan Railways suspended some rapid train services, and dozens of flights along with all regular train services have been canceled for Wednesday and Thursday. EVA Air, China Airlines, and Starlux Airlines announced disruptions due to the typhoon.
Impact on Military Exercises
Taiwan’s defense authorities modified ongoing annual five-day Han Kuang War Games due to the typhoon. The live-fire drills are Taiwan’s biggest annual military exercises, where the armed forces are increasingly vigilant against the threat of invasion from China. “We will adjust some of the air and naval elements given the typhoon situation,” defense ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fiang told reporters in Hualien.
Climate Crisis and Rapid Intensification
Typhoon Gaemi has intensified rapidly in Pacific waters that have been at their warmest temperatures on record. Scientists attribute the rapid intensification to hotter oceans caused by the human-induced climate crisis. Gaemi, the first typhoon of the season to affect Taiwan, has strengthened by 96 kph (60 mph) in the past 24 hours, far exceeding the definition of rapid intensification of 56 kph (35 mph) in 24 hours.