Typhoon Koinu Smashes Taiwan: One Dead, Hundreds Hurt
Typhoon Koinu, a fierce Category 4 storm, has torn through southern Taiwan, killing one and injuring hundreds. The violent typhoon struck the Hengchun peninsula on Thursday morning, triggering mass chaos and widespread damage.
Flights Grounded and Cities Paralyzed
Authorities grounded flights and shut schools and workplaces, bringing daily life to a halt for millions. In the central city of Taichung, a heartbreaking fatality was reported when flying glass struck a victim, confirmed by Taiwan’s fire department.
Orchid Island Bears Brunt of Storm Fury
Orchid Island off the southeast coast faced the storm’s full wrath. Cars were hurled off roads, fishing boats sank, and school windows shattered. The island recorded Taiwan’s strongest wind gust in 126 years, making the destruction unprecedented, reports the Central News Agency.
Transportation Chaos and Regional Damage
- 46 international flights cancelled
- Ferries to remote islands halted
- Most domestic flights on Thursday scrapped
- High-speed rail linking north and south continued running
Kaohsiung, a vital southern port city, suffered major disruptions. Meanwhile, the capital Taipei remained safe and operational. The heaviest rains hit the mountainous Pingtung county and eastern counties Taitung and Hualien.
Lingering Storm and Next Danger Looms
Koinu’s impact isn’t over yet — heavy rain will persist into Friday, especially across southern and eastern Taiwan. Orchid Island’s weather station recorded the fiercest winds in over a century.
The storm is now eyeing China’s Guangdong province, according to Tropical Storm Risk trackers. This latest punch follows recent hits from Typhoon Haiku last month and Typhoon Doksuri in August, highlighting the region’s ongoing battle with typhoons.
