Super typhoon Kong-rey hits Taiwan

Photo:Pixabay

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of rescuers and timely preparation the supertyphoon caused mostly material damage. Authorities reported one victim and approximately seven dozen injured residents. Meteorologists warned of an approaching typhoon several days in advance and the predictions came true. Winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour were recorded after entering mainland eastern Taiwan.

Great damage was done by the wind in the central district of Nantou. The wind uprooted a large number of trees and many of them crushed cars and damaged houses when they fell. Strong winds also battered the capital city of Taipei. The streets of the city were largely deserted. At the time of Super Typhoon Kong-rey's rampage 35,000 soldiers were on standby to help with humanitarian work.

Most schools and industrial buildings were also closed during Thursday. Strong winds damaged a large number of roofs in Hualien County. More than 400 domestic and international flights were canceled due to bad weather. The typhoon also paralyzed maritime transport, all ferry services had to be suspended.

On Thursday more than a hundred thousand households across the island were briefly without electricity. Hualien County received the most rainfall. Local firefighters had to evacuate dozens of residents here as flash floods hit the district.

The typhoon hit the agricultural area of ​​the island where a typhoon last struck fifty years ago. The greatest damage is expected here in agriculture. In the east of the island rice and fruit are grown the most. In a few weeks, everything would be ready for harvest but the typhoon destroyed a large number of fields.

Source:AlJazeera/Editorial