Friday, December 6, 2024

Typhoon Kong-rey Strikes Taiwan: 3 Fatalities and Significant Damage Reported

Share

As of Saturday afternoon, Typhoon Kong-rey has wreaked havoc across Taiwan, resulting in three fatalities, 690 injuries, and over 10,831 reported incidents of damage, according to the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC).

Details of Casualties and Incidents

  • The storm’s first victim was a 56-year-old female foreign national, who tragically lost her life when a tree fell on her vehicle in Nantou County.
  • The second casualty, a 48-year-old man, died in Taipei after a utility pole struck him while he was riding his motorcycle.
  • The third victim, a migrant worker, fell from a work platform in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District; efforts to revive him at the hospital were unsuccessful.

Extent of Damage and Disruptions

The CEOC reported extensive damage due to fallen trees blocking roads and streets. The most affected areas include:

LocationDeathsInjuriesReported Damage
Nantou County1
Taipei1
Taoyuan110,831 incidents
HualienNT$150 million loss
YunlinNT$170 million loss

Emergency Shelters and Road Conditions

In response to the storm, ten emergency shelters have been established across Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, Keelung, and Hualien. Currently, 155 individuals are utilizing these facilities. However, three locations remain isolated due to damage, including:

  • Smangus Tribe in Hsinchu County (bridge damaged)
  • Qrahu Tribe in Taoyuan
  • Xibao area in Hualien

The CEOC assures that the Smangus Tribe has adequate supplies to last ten days.

- Advertisement -

Restoration Efforts

Power outages affected over 950,000 households, with restoration expected for the remaining 32,000 homes by 5 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, more than 63,000 households have faced water outages, with service restoration anticipated for the last 1,240 by 8 p.m. Saturday.

Agricultural Impact

Preliminary assessments estimate agricultural losses exceeding NT$480 million (approximately US$15 million). The most affected crops include rice, garlic, food corn, custard apples, and peanuts, particularly in Hualien and Yunlin counties.

FAQs

  1. What caused the fatalities during Typhoon Kong-rey?
    • The deaths were due to falling trees and utility poles as a direct result of the storm.
  2. How many shelters have been set up?
    • A total of ten emergency shelters have been established in affected areas.
  3. What is the expected timeline for power restoration?
    • Power is expected to be restored to the last homes by 5 p.m. Sunday.
  4. How much agricultural damage has occurred?
    • Agricultural losses are estimated at over NT$480 million.
  5. Where can I find more updates on Typhoon Kong-rey?

Read more

Local News