Typhoon Krathon approaching Taiwan killed one person and injured dozens of others over the past few days, forcing thousands to evacuate, AP News reported.
At least 70 people were injured and one person died due to weather conditions attributed to Krathon, Taiwan’s fire service reported on Wednesday.
The typhoon, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 173 kph (108 mph) and gusts of 209 kph (130 mph), was expected to hit Taiwan’s densely populated west coast early Thursday morning, according to the Central Weather Administration.
No less than 128 centimetres (4.2 feet) of rain fell in Taitung county over the past four days, while the major port city of Kaohsiung received 43 centimetres (17 inches) before the typhoon hit. Authorities closed schools and government offices across the island and cancelled all domestic flights.
Krathon was at its epicentre about 110 kilometres (68 miles) southwest of Kaohsiung on Wednesday night and was moving northeast at about 8 kph (5 mph). It would continue to weaken after reaching land, the meteorological service said.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai earlier warned residents against approaching areas prone to flooding and landslides. He also compared the disaster to Typhoon Thelma, which severely damaged Kaohsiung in 1977 and caused 37 deaths.
Nearly 40,000 troops were on standby to assist in rescue operations.
