Strongest typhoon in nearly 30 years is about to hit Taiwan, thousands evacuated

Strong winds and heavy rain hit Taiwan today, October 31, as super typhoon Kong-rey approached, forcing thousands of people to evacuate, according to AFP.

Super Typhoon Kong-rey is expected to make landfall on the island's mountainous and sparsely populated east coast at around 2 p.m. today, Taiwan time, with strong winds and torrential rain affecting most of the island, the Central Meteorological Administration said.

Typhoon Kong-rey moved at 28 km/h as it swept towards Taiwan's Hualien and Taitung counties, causing waves up to 10 m high.

Strongest typhoon in nearly 30 years is about to hit Taiwan, thousands evacuated

With a radius of 320 km, Typhoon Kong-rey is on track to become the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan in nearly 30 years, according to Taiwan's Central Meteorological Administration.

Before Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall, Taiwan's Fire Department said today that at least 27 people were injured in the severe weather, with trees falling and four landslides reported, but did not provide details, according to AFP.

In response to Typhoon Kong-rey, all cities and counties in Taiwan declared a one-day holiday, financial markets closed, and airlines announced the cancellation of nearly 300 flights.

This photo taken by CNA News Agency and released on October 31 shows waves crashing onto the shore as super typhoon Kong-rey approaches the coast of Taitung, Taiwan.

Authorities have warned people to stay away from mountains and coastlines. As of the evening of October 30, more than 6,200 people had been evacuated from their homes to avoid the storm, according to AFP.

Warnings for destructive winds of more than 160 km/h were also issued in Taiwan's Taitung County, where a remote island recorded gusts of over 260 km/h before some anemometers there stopped working, according to Reuters.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry has put 36,000 troops on standby to assist in rescue efforts.

After making landfall in Taiwan, Typhoon Kong-rey is forecast to sweep across mainland China along the coast of Fujian province tomorrow morning, November 1, according to Reuters.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-manh-nhat-trong-gan-30-nam-sap-tan-cong-dai-loan-hang-ngan-nguoi-so-tan-185241031100412054.htm