Typhoon Koinu gently passed by southern Taiwan on Thursday, tragically resulting in the loss of one life, injuries to 304 individuals, and localized damages. The heavy rainfall and strong winds compelled millions of people in various cities to unfortunately miss work and school.
Koinu, which translates to "puppy" in Japanese, arrived on Taiwan's Hengchun peninsula as a powerful category-four typhoon, with winds reaching speeds of up to 252 kph (156 mph). However, it gradually weakened as it moved across the Taiwan Strait and approached China's Guangdong province, as reported by Tropical Storm Risk. The regions of Pingtung County in the south, as well as Taitung and Hualien along the eastern coast, experience the highest levels of rainfall. Additionally, the storm affected the major southern port city of Kaohsiung.
Most cities and counties declared a day off work and school, while the island's capital, Taipei, home to financial markets, remained unaffected and continued to operate as usual. Chipmaker TSMC (2330. TW) has informed that its factories are currently operating as usual. The typhoon entered the Taiwan Strait late on Thursday morning and heavy rainfall is expected to persist until Friday, primarily affecting the southern and eastern parts of the island.
The fire department of Taiwan has unfortunately reported one fatality resulting from an individual being struck by flying glass in the central city of Taichung. Furthermore, a total of 304 injuries have been reported across the entire island, along with certain instances of property damage to buildings and the presence of fallen trees.
Additional damage was reported on Orchid Island off Taitung's coast in the Pacific Ocean, which is home to approximately 5,000 people. Pictures circulating on social media depict cars being blown off roads, fishing boats sinking in a harbour, and school windows being shattered. According to Taiwan's official Central News Agency, a weather tracking station on Orchid Island recorded the strongest wind in Taiwan in the past 126 years during the typhoon's arrival on Wednesday night.
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Taiwan's two main domestic airlines, UNI Air and Mandarin Airlines, have regrettably cancelled the majority of their flights for Thursday, while ferries to outlying islands have also been temporarily suspended.
According to the transport ministry, a total of 46 international flights have unfortunately been cancelled. However, it is worth noting that the high-speed rail connecting northern and southern Taiwan remains unaffected.
