Typhoon Krathon – live: Four dead as slow-moving storm makes landfall in Taiwan
Residents in Taiwan were told to seek shelter as Typhoon Krathon made landfall in Taiwan, with the island fully shut for the second day.
Krathon, a slow moving storm which has been lashing Taiwan since Monday, slammed into the major port city Kaohsiung as a much weaker Category 1 typhoon around midday.
Early this morning residents in the city of some 2.7 million people received texted warnings telling them to seek shelter from gusts of more than 160 kmph (100 mph).
At least two people have died in Taiwan from extreme weather caused by Krathon, both elderly men.
Earlier, two people were killed in the Philippines when the storm lashed the northern islands of the archipelago.
All domestic flights were cancelled for a second day, as well as 236 international ones. The north-south high speed rail line suspended services and Taiwan’s financial markets also closed for a second day.
The typhoon is forecast to slowly work its way up Taiwan’s flat western plain and weaken further into a tropical depression by late Friday before reaching the capital Taipei.
Key Points
Typhoon Krathon makes landfall with Taiwan brought to standstill
Millions warned to take shelter
Taiwan shuts down for another day
Two dead in Taiwan from Typhoon Krathon
Hundreds of flights cancelled in Taiwan
Typhoon Krathon tracker: Path and forecast
Why is Typhoon Krathon's landfall rare?
Wednesday 2 October 2024 07:50 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon is set to make an unprecedented landfall on Taiwan’s heavily populated west coast near Kaohsiung, bringing flooding and disruption to the region’s industrial and semiconductor sectors.
“Normally, typhoons in the western Pacific (especially in a place like Taiwan) track from east to west across this area,” Jon Davis, chief meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, said.
This is partly why Taiwan's population is densely concentrated on its west coast and very few people live on the Pacific east coast – which receives the brunt of most storms.
"Typhoon Krathon is going to take a track and make landfall on the west coast of Taiwan near Kaohsiung based on the latest data,” he said.
Krathon’s west coast track is rare, with no major typhoon (Category 3 or higher) making landfall near Kaohsiung in the past 34 years, Mr Davis said.
“This will be an unprecedented event for the southwest portion of Taiwan," he told The Independent.
Typhoon Krathon warning expanded to 13 cities and counties
Wednesday 2 October 2024 08:10 , Stuti Mishra
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) expanded typhoon warnings to cover 13 cities and counties, stretching from the southern tip of the island up to Miaoli in the north.
As of 1.15pm local time (5.15am GMT), Typhoon Krathon was located 130 kilometres southwest of Kaohsiung, moving north-northeast at 8 kilometres per hour.
The outer rim of the storm has already engulfed Taitung and extended up the west coast as far as Yunlin, with bands of heavy rain and strong winds posing a significant threat to areas further north.
The cities and counties under the warning include Nantou, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Pingtung, Changhua, Penghu, Taichung, Tainan, Taitung, Hualien, Miaoli, Yunlin, and Kaohsiung.
Authorities are asking residents across these regions to prepare for potential flooding, landslides, and storm surges as Typhoon Krathon makes its slow approach towards southwestern Taiwan, with landfall possible either tonight or tomorrow morning.
Will Typhoon Krathon impact Taipei?
Wednesday 2 October 2024 08:30 , Stuti Mishra
Krathon is forecast to make landfall near Kaohsiung or Tainan city either tonight or tomorrow morning local time, and from there it is projected to move northeast toward Taipei over the next day or so.
While the storm is expected to weaken as it moves inland, it could still cause significant damage, particularly due to heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds.
Authorities have issued extreme rain and wind warnings for multiple regions, with storm surge risks persisting along the coast.
Offices, schools, and businesses across Taiwan, including the financial market in Taipei is already shut as a precaution.
Video: Wind gusts and waves in Donggang
Wednesday 2 October 2024 09:00 , Stuti Mishra
A video shared by storm chaser Jason H on X shows heavy winds and high tides in Donggang town in southwestern Taiwan.
"Fairly rough conditions going on outside our hotel in Donggang," he wrote.
Fairly rough conditions going on outside our hotel in Donggang, #Taiwan this morning as we enjoy a traditional breakfast before hitting the road. I suspect this storm might turn out quite the over-producer relative to forecast intensity, just has that feel to it 🌀#Krathon pic.twitter.com/8TzIqMmn85
— Jason H (AU) 🇦🇺 (@OreboundImages) October 2, 2024
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon path
Wednesday 2 October 2024 09:30 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon continues its slow approach toward Taiwan. The map from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) shows the storm’s path and projected wind intensities.
Krathon is expected to make landfall near Kaohsiung tomorrow early morning.
The forecast places Krathon’s maximum sustained wind speeds at 100 knots (185 kmph) near landfall, with the outer bands already affecting southern Taiwan.
Wind speeds of up to 90 knots (167 kmph) are expected as the storm progresses inland, affecting areas as far north as Tainan and Taichung. The storm’s effects will also be felt across Taipei as it moves northward after landfall.
Photos: Rain drenches Kaohsiung overnight
Wednesday 2 October 2024 10:00 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon in process of weakening, Taiwanese forecaster says
Wednesday 2 October 2024 10:30 , Stuti Mishra
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has forecast that Typhoon Krathon is gradually weakening as it nears Taiwan's southwest coast.
The storm is expected to make landfall tomorrow morning, either as a weak typhoon or potentially downgraded to a tropical storm, CWA said.
It will further weaken as it passes over Taiwan, possibly "dissolving" into a tropical depression, the CWA said, while cautioning that the storm could still bring heavy rains for an extended period of time.
Typhoon Krathon was located 130 kilometres southwest of Kaohsiung, moving north-northeast at 8 kilometres per hour at 1.15pm local time (5.15am GMT).
Nearly 10,000 evacuated in Taiwan ahead of Typhoon Krothan
Wednesday 2 October 2024 11:15 , Stuti Mishra
Nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas across Taiwan, particularly in regions prone to flooding and landslides.
Most of the evacuations are concentrated in southern Taiwan, including cities like Kaohsiung and Pingtung, where the storm is expected to make landfall early morning tomorrow.
Taiwan's interior ministry has coordinated the evacuations, while local governments have been distributing sandbags and mobilising emergency services.
Taiwan has shut down schools, offices, and its financial markets. Flights and ferry services have been widely cancelled as the storm brings torrential rain and strong winds, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant and stay indoors.
One dead in Taiwan from Typhoon Krathon
Wednesday 2 October 2024 11:31 , Stuti Mishra
One person has died in Taiwan amid extreme weather caused by Typhoon Krathon, the fire department has confirmed.
An elderly man in the eastern county of Hualien fell from a tree, the department said.
At least two others are missing and 70 injuries have been reported so far.
Krathon has been lashing the island with heavy rain and wind gusts since Monday.
Photos: Waves crash on the coastline in Kaohsiung
Wednesday 2 October 2024 12:15 , Stuti Mishra
Why slow-moving typhoons like Krathon can be more devastating
Wednesday 2 October 2024 13:00 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon's slow movement has raised concerns about its potential impact on Taiwan.
The storm was travelling at a speed of just 2-8 kmph, with its outer bands lashing Taiwan since Monday, and its landfall is now expected tomorrow morning.
Krathon is expected to continue impacting Taiwan until Friday now as it slowly moves over the island, eventually weakening, a day later than earlier expected.
While fast-moving typhoons cause significant damage, slow-moving storms often prove to be even more devastating.
Slow-moving typhoons tend to linger over an area for longer periods, leading to exceptional volumes of rainfall. In Krathon's case, regions like Pingtung and Taitung already accumulated 300 mm of rain, with totals potentially exceeding 600 mm in some areas by yesterday.
This extended rainfall dramatically increases the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous regions, where the saturated soil becomes unstable.
The affected regions are also subjected to the storm's intense winds for a longer duration, increasing the likelihood of structural damage and power outages.
Photos: Taiwanese coastguard patrols Sizihwan Bay
Wednesday 2 October 2024 13:45 , Stuti Mishra
Taiwan’s president warns of 'catastrophic damage' from Typhon Krathon
Wednesday 2 October 2024 14:30 , Stuti Mishra
Taiwan’s president warned that the storm could impose ‘catastrophic damage” on the island and warned “everyone must be particularly vigilant.”
“Typhoon Krathon has intensified into a strong typhoon with strong wind, heavy rain and high storm surge, and it is set to bring catastrophic damage,” Taiwan president Lai Ching-te said yesterday during a visit to the Central Emergency Operations Centre, which was set up over the weekend to coordinate response measures to the typhoon.
Video: Typhoon Krathon's formation and march over Philippines and Taiwan
Wednesday 2 October 2024 15:30 , Stuti Mishra
Let us see #typhoon #krathon from invest to super typhoon and then fight with cold front. pic.twitter.com/0L0daBU5Pm
— weatherson (@112babyboy) October 1, 2024
Photos: Trees are blown down by strong winds
Wednesday 2 October 2024 16:30 , Stuti Mishra
Mayor warns Krathon could be as devastating as 1977’s Typhoon Thelma
Wednesday 2 October 2024 17:30 , Stuti Mishra
As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan's southwest coast, Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai compared the storm’s potential devastation to Typhoon Thelma in 1977, which left Kaohsiung without water and electricity and caused the deaths of 37 people.
"After the typhoon, the whole of Kaohsiung was without water and electricity, just like a war," Mr Chen said, urging residents to stay indoors. "As much as possible, limit going out."
According to Li Meng-hsiang, a forecaster from the Central Weather Administration (CWA), Krathon has reached its peak intensity yesterday but the storm began to weaken slightly before landfall.
"The storm surge might bring tides inland," Li warned. "If it's raining heavily, it will make it difficult to discharge waters, and as a result, coastal areas will be subject to flooding."
Typhoon Krathon brings back memories of Thelma
Wednesday 2 October 2024 18:30 , Stuti Mishra
Residents in Taiwan were collecting sandbags, taping glass windows and stocking groceries as authorities urged people to stay at home.
"Because of Typhoon Gaemi being quite severe earlier this year, everyone is more cautious and prepared this time around," sales representative Yu Ren-yu, 35, told Reuters, picking up sandbags at a government office, referring to July's storm that killed 11 people.
"First be prepared, then we can face this typhoon."
People are very prepared this time, said Chou Yi-tang, a government official working in the Siaogang district home to the airport.
For many older residents, the storm brought back memories of the devastation caused by Typhoon Thelma five decades ago.
"We were hit directly by the eyewall," he added, describing events of Typhoon Thelma. "Power was out for two weeks and no water for almost a month. It was disastrous."
More than 700 sandbags have been distributed in his district, a record for a typhoon, while authorities are making more to meet demand, he told the agency.
Typhoon Krathon warning expanded to 13 cities and counties
Wednesday 2 October 2024 19:29 , Stuti Mishra
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) expanded typhoon warnings to cover 13 cities and counties, stretching from the southern tip of the island up to Miaoli in the north.
As of 1.15pm local time (5.15am GMT), Typhoon Krathon was located 130 kilometres southwest of Kaohsiung, moving north-northeast at 8 kilometres per hour.
The outer rim of the storm has already engulfed Taitung and extended up the west coast as far as Yunlin, with bands of heavy rain and strong winds posing a significant threat to areas further north.
The cities and counties under the warning include Nantou, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Pingtung, Changhua, Penghu, Taichung, Tainan, Taitung, Hualien, Miaoli, Yunlin, and Kaohsiung.
Authorities are asking residents across these regions to prepare for potential flooding, landslides, and storm surges as Typhoon Krathon makes its slow approach towards southwestern Taiwan, with landfall possible either tonight or tomorrow morning.
Why is Typhoon Krathon’s landfall rare?
Wednesday 2 October 2024 20:30 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon is set to make an unprecedented landfall on Taiwan’s heavily populated west coast near Kaohsiung, bringing flooding and disruption to the region’s industrial and semiconductor sectors.
“Normally, typhoons in the western Pacific (especially in a place like Taiwan) track from east to west across this area,” Jon Davis, chief meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, said.
This is partly why Taiwan’s population is densely concentrated on its west coast and very few people live on the Pacific east coast – which receives the brunt of most storms.
“Typhoon Krathon is going to take a track and make landfall on the west coast of Taiwan near Kaohsiung based on the latest data,” he said.
Krathon’s west coast track is rare, with no major typhoon (Category 3 or higher) making landfall near Kaohsiung in the past 34 years, Mr Davis said.
“This will be an unprecedented event for the southwest portion of Taiwan,” he told The Independent.
No major impact from Typhoon Krathon, chip maker says
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:30 , Stuti Mishra
TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a major Apple and Nvidia supplier, said it did not expect the typhoon would have a significant impact on operations.
TSMC’s factories are along the west coast, where the typhoon is set to make a rare landfall, some in the city of Tainan.
Most typhoons impact the southeastern parts of Taiwan and the western parts, which house some of the biggest companies and millions of people, remain safe from impacts.
However, experts have expressed concerns that Krathon’s path could cause disruption to Taiwan’s financial hubs.
Typhoon Krathon leaves two dead and over 77,000 afftected in the Philippines
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:30 , Stuti Mishra
At least two people are confirmed dead and over 77,000 people were affected in the Philippines after Typhoon Krathon caused significant devastation in the northern part of the archipelago.
One person was electrocuted in Cagayan province, and another fatality was reported in Ilocos Sur, according to Xinhua news agency.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed that Krathon, which intensified into a super typhoon earlier this week, brought winds of 195 kmph and gusts reaching 240 kmph.
The storm’s impact has left widespread damage across three regions as it continues to slowly moves north-northwestward towards Taiwan’s highly populated industrial hub, maintaining its strength.
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon path and rainfall forecast
Wednesday 2 October 2024 23:30 , Stuti Mishra
Mapped: Typhoon Krathon heads to Taiwan after lashing Philippines
Will Typhoon Krathon impact Taipei?
Thursday 3 October 2024 00:30 , Stuti Mishra
Krathon is forecast to make landfall near Kaohsiung or Tainan city either tonight or tomorrow morning local time, and from there it is projected to move northeast toward Taipei over the next day or so.
While the storm is expected to weaken as it moves inland, it could still cause significant damage, particularly due to heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds.
Authorities have issued extreme rain and wind warnings for multiple regions, with storm surge risks persisting along the coast.
Offices, schools, and businesses across Taiwan, including the financial market in Taipei is already shut as a precaution.
Video: Typhoon Krathon's formation and march over Philippines and Taiwan
02:30 , Stuti Mishra
Let us see #typhoon #krathon from invest to super typhoon and then fight with cold front. pic.twitter.com/0L0daBU5Pm
— weatherson (@112babyboy) October 1, 2024
Taiwan shuts down for another day as Typhoon Krathon nears
04:04 , Stuti Mishra
Taiwan remains shut for a second day as Typhoon Krathon continues to batter the island before its landfall.
Schools, offices and financial institution were shut across the island yesterday and remain shut today.
This is the second time in a year when Taiwan has had to shut its financial market for two days.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall around noon.
Two dead in Taiwan
04:15 , Stuti Mishra
The death toll from extreme weather caused by Typhoon Krathon is now at two, officials confirmed.
Another elderly man lost his life after a boulder fell on his car.
Earlier, a 70 year old man died after falling from a tree.
The storm has already killed two people in the Philippines.
Hundreds of international flights disrupted for third day
05:22 , Stuti Mishra
This is the third day of travel disruptions in Taiwan as Typhoon Krathon brought the city to a full closure again.
Since Tuesday, flights have been getting delayed and cancelled and Taiwan has been on a full shut down since yesterday.
Today again, all domestic flights were cancelled as well as 236 international ones.
The north-south high speed rail line suspended services from central to southern Taiwan until early evening.
Taiwan's financial markets also closed for a second day.
When is Typhoon Krathon making landfall in Taiwan?
05:40 , Stuti Mishra
Krathon is forecast to make landfall as a much weaker Category 2 typhoon around midday at the major southwestern port city of Kaohsiung.
It is now slightly weakened but still a powerful Category 3-equivalent storm with sustained wind speeds of 173kmph and gusts of up to 209kmph.
The typhoon is forecast to slowly work its way up Taiwan’s flat western plain and weaken further into a tropical depression by late Friday before reaching the capital Taipei.
Millions warned to take shelter
06:00 , Stuti Mishra
This morning, residents in Kaohsiung, a city of some 2.7 million people, received texted warnings telling them to seek shelter from gusts of more than 160 kmph (100 mph).
"It's so windy now that I do not dare to go out and inspect my neighbourhood," Lin Tsai-wang, a resident of the downtown Sanmin district, told Reuters.
Typhoons often hit Taiwan's east coast facing the Pacific, but Krathon is unusual in that it will directly hit the west coast.
The Kaohsiung government has been particularly cautious in its preparations given that the last time it was struck by such a storm in 1977, Typhoon Thelma killed 37 people and devastated the city.
Typhoon Krathon makes landfall with Taiwan brought to standstill
06:19 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon has made landfall in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung city at around midday local time, arriving as a weaker Category 1 typhoon.
The slow-moving Typhoon has been lashing Taiwan since Monday with its outer bands causing heavy rains and wind gusts.
The storm earlier intensified to an equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane but then lost some of its strength before landfall.
Despite its weakened state, the storm has caused significant disruption across Taiwan, forcing the country to remain shut down for a second day.
So far, two people have died, and hundreds of flights have been grounded. Financial markets also remain closed.
The Taiwanese government urged residents to remain indoors due to torrential rain, strong winds, and the threat of storm surges.
Why Typhoon Krathon's landfall was 'weird'
06:40 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon's landfall has been labelled "weird" by Taiwanese media as the storm brought the island to a halt.
Typhoons often hit Taiwan's east coast facing the Pacific, but Krathon is unusual in that it directly hit the populated west coast.
The storm also hovered along the coast for an unusually long period, lashing the island with rainfall and wind gusts since Monday.
Despite intensifying dramatically on its approach to Taiwan, the storm eventually made landfall at midday today as a weaker typhoon with windspeeds equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.
Photos: Trees blown down, houses damaged as Typhoon Krathon makes landfall
07:00 , Stuti Mishra
Krathon becomes first typhoon in almost three decades to make landfall in southwestern Taiwan
07:20 , Stuti Mishra
BREAKING: TY #Krathon (PH : #JulianPH) is now making landfall in the city of Kaoshiung in the southwestern Taiwan this Thursday afternoon local time – the first typhoon to do in 28 years.
It is the only third typhoon to make landfall in the city since 1945, according to the… pic.twitter.com/oyYeCh5mNV— Matthew Cuyugan (@mscuyugan) October 3, 2024
Multiple heavy rain advisories to last until Friday
07:40 , Stuti Mishra
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a series of Heavy Rain Advisories across Taiwan, with torrential rainfall expected to continue.
The advisories are in effect from Thursday morning through Friday morning.
Rainfall is affecting key areas like Keelung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taipei, Pingtung, and Hualien.
Typhoon Krathon made landfall near Kaohsiung earlier today, after lingering along the coast for two days and lashing the island throughout. Although weakened, the storm continues to bring significant rainfall across Taiwan.
Video: Heavy rain in Kaohsiung where Typhoon Krathon made landfall
08:00 , Stuti Mishra
Atrocious conditions out here now south of Kaohsiung in eyewall of #typhoon #Krathon in #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/cGq6HWvFR8
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) October 3, 2024
Satellite image shows Typhoon Krathon over Taiwan
08:30 , Stuti Mishra
A satellite image captured by the Himawari-8 weather satellite today shows Typhoon Krathon as it makes landfall in southern Taiwan.
The storm hit near Kaohsiung earlier in the day as a weakened system, but it continues to bring torrential rain and powerful winds across the region.
The image illustrates the storm's spiral structure as it moves northward, with bands of clouds spreading across the island and surrounding regions, causing significant weather disturbances.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued multiple advisories for heavy rain, especially in southern and eastern parts of the island.
Even though the typhoon has weakened, it remains a serious concern due to the heavy rainfall and risk of flooding and landslides across Taiwan.
Hospital fire kills 9 in Taiwan amid extreme weather from Typhoon Krathon
09:00 , Stuti Mishra
A fire at a hospital in southern Taiwan killed at least nine people today as the island was being battered by a typhoon.
The fire occurred in Pingtung county, which has been hit hard by Typhoon Krathon, which made landfall in the afternoon with torrential rains and heavy winds and has brought parts of the island to a standstill.
Those who died inhaled smoke from the fire, the source of which was still under investigation.
Soldiers from a nearby base were mobilised to help medical workers and firefighters in the evacuation of patients and putting out the flames.
Reports said 176 patients were rushed to the front entrance and transferred to ambulances in the pouring rain. They were moved to shelters nearby.
Associated Press
Up to 5.5ft of rain batters Taiwan's mountain regions with more to come
09:30 , Stuti Mishra
Mountainous areas in the island's south have seen up to 169cm (5.5 feet) of rain over the past five days. Thousands were evacuated from areas vulnerable to mudslides and landslides.
China's weather agency said some eastern and southern parts of Taiwan are still set to see more extremely heavy rain, with up to 40cm (1.3 feet) falling over the next 24 hours.
Tens of thousands left without power in Taiwan
10:00 , Stuti Mishra
Around 51,000 households in Taiwan are without electricity following the landfall of Typhoon Krathon, according to Taiwan Power Company (Taipower).
At its peak the storm caused outages for over 176,000 households, but power has been restored to approximately 70 per cent of the affected areas.
The worst-hit regions include Kaohsiung with 23,556 households still waiting for power restoration and Pingtung County where 23,210 households remain in the dark.
Other affected regions include Taipei, Yunlin, Taitung, and Chiayi, where teams are working to restore electricity amid ongoing heavy rains and challenging conditions.
Photos: Typhoon Krathon's severe winds and rain
10:30 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon to impact Japan
11:32 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon is expected to increase rainfall to parts of Okinawa, Japan, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issuing advisories for the affected regions.
The storm, which made landfall earlier in Taiwan, is now bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to Okinawa. The JMA has issued warnings for high waves, with heights expected to reach up to 5 metres, as well as for strong winds that could cause localised damage.
Why Typhoon Krathon's slow movement matters
12:15 , Stuti Mishra
Typhoon Krathon turned out to be an unusually slow moving storm, with its outer bands lingering over Taiwan for much of this week.
The slow movement of storms is becoming a troubling trend in recent years as it leads to longer period of rainfall and more destruction. Scientists have earlier linked this kind of pattern to the climate crisis.
Rising global temperatures are heating ocean surfaces, providing more energy to the atmosphere and supercharging storms. These intensified storms carry more moisture and, combined with weakened atmospheric steering currents like jet streams, they are moving more slowly.
This stalling effect leads to extended periods of heavy rainfall and destructive winds, as seen with Krathon again.
Recent studies show that tropical storms are now moving more slowly than in previous decades, leading to higher rainfall totals and prolonged damage. This trend has been observed globally with other significant storms, such as Hurricane Harvey and Typhoon Hagibis.
