The typhoon is expected to hit the country a day later than initially predicted.
Schools and financial markets were closed across Taiwan on Wednesday as Typhoon Krathon brought heavy rains and strong winds to the island’s southern and eastern regions. More than 10,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas, according to AFP.
All domestic flights and around 250 international flights were canceled, and ferry services were suspended. The approaching typhoon has resulted in 46 reported injuries across Taiwan, with one person missing after falling into the sea.
Winds Reaching 209 km/h
Typhoon Krathon, with sustained winds of 173 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 209 kilometers per hour, was located about 140 kilometers southwest of the city of Kaohsiung at 10:00 a.m. local time (4:00 a.m. CEST), according to Taiwan’s meteorological service.
The typhoon, downgraded from strong to moderate by Taiwan’s meteorological system, is now expected to make landfall in Kaohsiung or Tainan on Thursday morning, a day later than initially forecast. This delay is due to the typhoon’s unusually slow movement. It is also expected to weaken rapidly once it passes over the island.
