What's happened
Typhoon Krathon made landfall in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on October 3, 2024, causing significant damage and leading to at least two fatalities. The storm, which weakened from a Category 4 to a Category 1, resulted in widespread flooding and power outages, affecting thousands of residents and prompting evacuations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Typhoon Krathon made landfall in Kaohsiung with winds reaching nearly 100 mph, causing significant damage and prompting evacuations. Helen Davidson notes that the storm's slow movement contributed to extensive rainfall, leading to landslides and flooding across the island. Meanwhile, Stuti Mishra from The Independent highlights the government's preparedness efforts, stating that 'thousands of sandbags' were distributed and '38,000 troops' were on standby. The Independent also reported on a tragic hospital fire in Pingtung County, which resulted in nine deaths, although it was not directly linked to the typhoon. This incident underscores the broader challenges faced by emergency services during such extreme weather events.
How we got here
Typhoon Krathon approached Taiwan as a super typhoon, initially causing severe weather in the Philippines. It made landfall near Kaohsiung, a densely populated area, on October 3, 2024, after lingering off the coast for several days, leading to extensive preparations by local authorities.
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