Super typhoon “Kong-ray” hit Taiwan, authorities evacuated more than 8,600 people – World

HONG KONG, October 31. /TASS/. Super typhoon “Kong-ray” has reached the east coast of Taiwan, according to the Central Meteorological Service of the island.

The agency said the typhoon made landfall around 1:40 p.m. local time (08:40 a.m. Moscow time) near Taidong County, which has a population of about 212,000. In the storm, wind speeds reach nearly 200 kilometers per hour (125 mph).

Earlier, local authorities issued a storm warning, declared October 31 a non-working day and ordered the temporary closure of offices and schools. Emergency services have been put on high alert. More than 500 flights have been canceled and all ferry services to Taiwan’s remote islands have been suspended.

A total of 8,602 people were evacuated from high-risk areas, including 3,400 in Hualien County in eastern Taiwan and 2,300 in the southwestern city of Kaohsiung, according to Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operations Center. The message also states that 1,300 people are housed in temporary shelters. At least 27 storm-related injuries were reported across the island.

On October 25, Typhoon Kong-ray developed rapidly in the western part of the Pacific Ocean near the Philippines, which intensified until October 29.