Typhoon Koinu Strikes Taiwan: Record Winds Injure 190
TAIPEI — Early Thursday morning, Taiwan experienced the fierce onslaught of Typhoon Koinu. Directly translating to “puppy” in Japanese, this typhoon might bear a benign name, but its effects were anything but gentle. As it tore through southern Taiwan, it left 190 people injured in its wake, though no deaths have been reported.
A Historic Weather Phenomenon
Typhoon Koinu brought with it unprecedented wind speeds, marking a significant event in Taiwan’s meteorological history. As it neared Taiwan on Wednesday night, a monitoring station situated on Orchid Island, off the southeastern coast of the country’s main island, clocked a wind gust reaching a staggering 342.7 kph (212.9 mph). Sustained winds weren’t far behind, registering at 198.7 kph (123.5 mph). Huang Chia-mei, who leads the Central Weather Administration’s Taitung Weather Station, confirmed that these measurements surpassed all recorded wind speeds since Taiwan began its record-keeping in 1897. However, the instrument capturing this historic data met its demise shortly after, unable to withstand Koinu’s might.
By Thursday afternoon, the typhoon’s sustained winds had decreased to 155 kph (96 mph) with gusts dropping to 191 kph (119 mph), but its impact remained palpable throughout the region.
Nationwide Closures and Disruptions
Heavy rain primarily inundated the eastern counties of Taitung and Hualien, with Pingtung county in the south also facing the typhoon’s wrath. This led to widespread cancellations of school and work across various cities, most prominently in the southern port city of Kaohsiung. In contrast, the capital, Taipei, experienced a relatively calm morning as the rain ceased.
As reports from Taiwan’s fire department came in, the west coast cities bore the brunt of the injuries, including major centers such as Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.
The storm also significantly impacted the travel sector. Domestic flights faced widespread cancellations, with several international flights also affected. Ferry services to the surrounding islands were suspended, causing disruptions for both residents and tourists.
Anticipated Impact on Southern China
Though Typhoon Koinu is showing signs of weakening, it’s set to bring heavy rainfall to the coastal regions of southern China in the upcoming weekend. Preemptive measures have already been initiated in cities like Guangzhou, where select flights and trains have been canceled. Meanwhile, maritime authorities have issued a Level 4 alert, urging caution.
The neighboring Fujian province hasn’t been complacent either, with a total of 137 passenger ferry trips being called off in anticipation of the storm.
Taiwan’s Tryst with Typhoons
Taiwan’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to tropical cyclones. However, direct hits have been infrequent in recent years. Typhoon Koinu marks only the second typhoon to make landfall in the past four years. It closely follows Typhoon Haikui, which affected Taiwan earlier in September.
Conclusion
Typhoon Koinu, despite its endearing name, will be remembered in Taiwan’s history for its record-breaking wind speeds and widespread disruptions. As it moves towards southern China, communities brace themselves, hoping the storm continues to lose its strength. The resilience of the Taiwanese community will be tested in the days to come as they embark on the path to recovery.
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