Taiwan has mobilized almost 40,000 military personnel in preparation for Typhoon Krathon, which is expected to make landfall in the densely populated southwestern region of the island. Authorities have warned of potential storm surges that could cause severe flooding in low-lying areas.
While Taiwan regularly faces typhoons, they typically strike the less populated mountainous eastern region. However, Typhoon Krathon is forecasted to hit the flat, densely inhabited western areas, particularly Kaohsiung, a major port city with a population of around 2.7 million people.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), Typhoon Krathon is expected to strike Kaohsiung on Wednesday afternoon (October 2) before moving across central Taiwan towards the northeast and into the East China Sea. Kaohsiung city officials have declared a one-day holiday, urging residents to stay indoors to avoid potential harm from the storm, which has been classified as a “super typhoon” by the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Li Meng-hsiang, a CWA official, stated that the typhoon had reached peak strength but was expected to weaken slightly as it approached Taiwan. However, southwestern Taiwan would still experience strong winds exceeding 93 kilometers per hour. “Storm surges could lead to severe flooding in inland communities,” Li warned. “Heavy rainfall will further complicate drainage, increasing the likelihood of coastal flooding.”
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai compared Krathon’s trajectory and strength to Typhoon Thelma in 1977, which claimed 37 lives in the city and left Kaohsiung without water and electricity, likening the devastation to “a war zone.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has mobilized over 38,000 soldiers to assist in disaster relief efforts, while Kaohsiung residents are preparing to protect their homes and businesses. “This storm is coming straight for us, so we need to be ready,” said Chen Ming-huang, a local fisherman, as he secured his boat at Kaohsiung Bay. “But if the winds are too strong, even the ropes might snap, and my boat could drift away.”
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest chipmaker and a key supplier to companies like Apple and Nvidia, has activated its typhoon response system at its plant in Tainan, near Kaohsiung. The company does not expect significant disruption to its operations due to the storm.
