Super Typhoon Krathon – live: Taiwan shuts schools and cancels flights amid storm surge warning
Typhoon Krathon will cross through Taiwan’s densely populated west coast, including major port city of Kaohsiung
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Schools, restaurants, and shops shut down, and dozens of flights were cancelled as Taiwan braced for Super Typhoon Krathon’s arrival on its western coast.
The typhoon, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 198 kmph and gusts up to 245 kmph, is located 236 kilometres south-southeast of Kaohsiung, where it is expected to make landfall tomorrow.
The storm’s large radius of 220 kilometres means its outer rim has already affected Pingtung, Taitung, and Kaohsiung, with torrential rain and strong winds battering the coastline.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued warnings for extremely heavy rain, with up to 350 mm expected in mountainous areas.
Schools and offices are closed in six cities and counties, and 85 domestic flights, along with international routes, including to Hong Kong, were cancelled. Ferry services to outlying islands have also been halted.
The storm earlier hit the northernmost islands of the Philippines, prompting evacuations, school closures, and warnings of “potentially very destructive” rainfall.
Over 500 people evacuated from Kaohsiung ahead of Typhoon Krathon
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan, 521 people have been evacuated from the mountainous regions of Kaohsiung today in anticipation of severe weather.
Local authorities issued landslide warnings for the districts of Taoyuan, Maolin, Namasia, and Liugui, prompting evacuations.
Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai inspected disaster preparedness measures, including flood control systems and the city’s 91 pumping stations, Taiwan News reported.
Kaohsiung is bracing for heavy rainfall, with estimates suggesting up to 800 mm in the mountainous areas.
Schools were moved online and 23,000 sandbags have been distributed across the city to help residents prepare for flooding.
Forecast animation shows path of Typhoon Krathon
A forecast animation from Zoom Earth, a privately-run weather tracker, shows Typhoon Krathon’s projected path as it heads toward southern Taiwan.
The animation shows the typhoon's intense wind gusts and possible landfall near Kaohsiung, with winds expected to exceed 200 kmph.
However, the storm's interaction with Taiwan's mountainous terrain could lead to unpredictable changes in its direction, making the exact landfall location difficult to forecast.
Satellite image shows Typhoon Krathon's intensity
A satellite image taken from Japan's Himawari-9 a while back shows Typhoon Krathon swirling over the Luzon Strait, between the Philippines and Taiwan.
The well-defined eye and dense cloud bands show that Krathon has grown in strength, as it moves northwest toward Taiwan.
The typhoon's spiral structure is clear, with intense thunderstorms surrounding the eye, a hallmark of a strong storm.
Video: Philippine Coast Guard tows stranded speedboat amid Typhoon Krathon
Travel disruptions and closures due to Typhoon Krathon
Coastal and national park areas have been closed in Taiwan as a precaution, and ferry services have been suspended across several regions.
The rail line connecting southern Taiwan to the east coast was halted on Monday afternoon due to the storm, though the north-south high-speed railway continues to operate as normal.
Despite the disruptions, international flights from Taipei have not yet been affected, according to the transport ministry.
Typhoon Krathon forecast: Storm to hit Taiwan's populated west coast
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a warning for the western and southern regions of the country as Typhoon Krathon approaches.
Extremely heavy rainfall, potentially exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours, is expected in areas such as Hualien, Taitung, Orchid Island, and Green Island.
Heavy rain warnings have also been extended to other areas, including Yilan County and mountainous regions of Taipei, New Taipei, and the port city of Kaohsiung.
Authorities have deployed thousands of soldiers and rubber boats to southern and eastern Taiwan, anticipating potential flooding and landslides.
Hong Kong set to experience extreme heat amid Typhoon Krathon
Hong Kong is set to experience scorching temperatures today and tomorrow as Typhoon Krathon approaches southern Taiwan.
Though the storm is not expected to directly affect Hong Kong, the city will feel the heat due to the typhoon's outer subsiding air, causing temperatures to soar across southern China, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
Despite Krathon remaining over 500 kilometres from Hong Kong, residents were advised to stay hydrated and take precautions against the heat on these very hot days.
Photos: Taiwan braces for Typhoon Krathon
Typhoon Krathon tracker: Path and forecast
Typhoon Krathon is currently tracking west-northwest toward Taiwan after impacting the northern Philippines.
Krathon is classified as a "very strong" typhoon, with maximum sustained winds near the centre reaching 185 kmph and gusts of up to 260 kmph, according to the latest updates from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA).
Currently located approximately 430 kilometres southeast of Taiwan's southernmost point, Oluanpi, the typhoon is moving west-northwest at a slow speed of around 10 kmph.
Krathon is expected to continue moving westward before turning slightly northwest and making landfall near Kaohsiung, Taiwan, by late night tomorrow or early morning on Wednesday. Winds are expected to reach up to 185 kmph (115 mph) near the centre, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Following landfall, Krathon is forecast to move across southern Taiwan, bringing heavy rainfall, intense winds, and a high risk of flooding.
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