Taiwan is reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Krathon, which made landfall as a Category 1 typhoon in Kaohsiung, causing two deaths and widespread destruction. The storm brought record gusts and torrential rains, leading to power outages, flight cancellations, and widespread evacuations.
In a tragic incident, nine people lost their lives in a hospital electrical fire in Pingtung, prompting soldiers to assist in the evacuation of patients and extinguishing the flames. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The slow-moving typhoon has brought excessive rainfall to eastern and southern parts of the island, with some areas receiving over 1.6 meters of rain, leading to landslides and road closures. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves towards Taiwan’s flat western plain and become a tropical depression by Friday.
Taiwan’s Kaohsiung government has been proactive in its storm preparations, particularly since the devastation caused by Typhoon Thelma in 1977. The direct hit on the west coast by Krathon has been described as “weird” by Taiwan’s media, as typhoons typically hit the east coast facing the Pacific.
Overall, the island is facing a challenging recovery process as it deals with the aftermath of the typhoon and the tragic hospital fire. Authorities are working tirelessly to provide relief to affected areas and ensure the safety of residents amidst the ongoing extreme weather conditions.
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