Taiwan: At least one dead and 205 injured by powerful typhoon Kong-rai

The powerful Typhoon Kong-rai, one of the most severe to hit Taiwan in recent years, made landfall at noon in Chongqing (southeast) and has already caused the death of at least one person, while at least 205 people were injured, according to a new report from authorities.

The typhoon, accompanied by gale-force winds of 184 kph and torrential rain, arrived at about 13:40 local time (07:40 GMT) in the southeastern part of the country, which is the most sparsely populated part of this island of 23 million people.

Typhoon Kong-Rey Makes Landfall In Taiwan!

The category 3 typhoon has just made landfall tonight in Asia starting with Taiwan. Reports say at least one killed.

Luckily the island was prepared and the streets were deserted. Nearly 35,000 soldiers were mobilized in advance to… https://t.co/EfWGqjFksh pic.twitter.com/cYXuRH8Dxg

— Nathan Cervera (@nathan_cervera) October 31, 2024

Trees uprooted by strong winds have fallen on cars, blocking roads and hampering operations by authorities, an official in a community in the eastern province of Hualien, the worst affected, told Agence France-Presse.

Devastation in Taiwan: Super Typhoon Kong-rey, one of the most powerful storms in decades, has made landfall—leaving 1 dead and 73 injured. #TyphoonKongRey #Typhoon #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/JhboslV4TI

— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) October 31, 2024

A 56-year-old woman was killed after a tree fell on her vehicle in Nantu County (central), the country’s firefighting agency said, while 205 other people were injured.

Before the storm’s arrival, 10-meter-high waves swept the coast and at least 27 people were injured by the rainfall, mostly from landslides, according to the same agency.

At least 34 landslides were recorded, 162 buildings were damaged and 366 trees fell, the same source said.

Kong-Rey Badai Terbesar di Taiwan Sejak 1996
Topan #KongRey di Taiwan menguat menjadi topan super dan kini menimbulkan ancaman signifikan bagi Pasifik Barat Laut.

Topan ini juga berdampak pd Filipina utara,terutama kawasan yg msh dlm tahap pemulihan pasca Topan Trami
2/10/2024 pic.twitter.com/PY9kqnTYpI

— ́𝐌𝐄_ (@KheyL4_8) October 31, 2024

More than 400 domestic and international flights were canceled, all ferry services were suspended and more than 250,000 households were plunged into darkness.