Super Typhoon Kong-rey to hit Taiwan tomorrow
by Sunita · KalingaTVTaiwan: Super Typhoon Kong-rey is set to hit the Island country soon. The Kong-rey intensified into Super Typhoon after it wreaked havoc in Philippines. The Authorities in Taiwan have warning residents along its eastern coast to stay alert and prepared for the typhoon.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the powerful typhoon is predicted to make landfall early Thursday in southeastern coast county, Taitung.
The typhoon warning center stated that the Kong-rey strengthened into a Super Typhoon on Wednesday while moving northwest over the Philippine Sea. It is estimated to have wind speed of 240 kilometers per hour (150 miles per hour), which is the equivalent of a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane.
Meteorologist Chu Mei-lin said that the typhoon will affect the whole of Taiwan later tonight.
“As the typhoon continues to move towards the northwest, almost the whole of Taiwan will be covered by the storm circle later tonight,” meteorologist Chu Mei-lin. There will also be heavy rainfall across Taiwan on Thursday, including in Taipei. The meteorologist also added that waves could reach up to eight meters high at the time of typhoon landfall.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) also issued a sea warning and land warnings for more than half of the island’s counties.
It is forecasted to weaken slightly ahead of making direct landfall on its southeastern coast. The typhoon will bring intense downpours, which might result in flash flooding, storm surges and the risk of landslides.
Around Taiwan 36,000 soldiers are currently on standby to assist with rescue and relief work, said Ministry of National Defense. More than 6,000 first responders have also been put on standby to assist in response to the typhoon, according to the Central Emergency Operations Center.