According to the latest storm information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), typhoon Kong-rey made landfall on the east coast of Taiwan (China) on the afternoon of October 31.
The storm is moving northwest at a speed of about 25km/h. The strongest wind near the storm's center is maintained at 155km/h, with gusts of up to 255km/h.
Meanwhile, while still at super typhoon level on the night of October 30 and early morning of October 31, the strongest wind near the storm's center remained at 195km/h, gusting up to 240km/h.
After sweeping across mainland Taiwan (China), Typhoon Kong-rey is forecast to turn northeast through the Taiwan Strait toward the East China Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on October 31 or early morning November 1. The possibility of the typhoon making landfall in mainland China during this time cannot be ruled out.
Kong-rey is the third typhoon to hit Taiwan (China) since July, with a strength comparable to that of Typhoon Gaemi. However, with a radius of 320km, Typhoon Kong-rey becomes the largest typhoon in nearly 3 decades.
According to the China Weather Administration (CWA), typhoon Kong-rey swept through Taitung County, eastern Taiwan, at around 1:40 p.m. on October 31. The typhoon brought strong winds and torrential rains that affected most of the island.
Despite weakening from a super typhoon to a hurricane, Kong-rey remains very strong. The Taiwan Meteorological Administration (Taiwan) forecasts that it will be the strongest typhoon to hit the island since 1996.
In response to the storm, on October 31, Taiwan (China) announced that employees would be off work, schools and financial markets would be closed. All flights were canceled.
In the face of the developments of super typhoon Kong-rey, people and tourists planning to travel to the Philippines and Taiwan (China) during this time should pay attention to weather forecasts and check flight schedules to proactively plan their itinerary and ensure safety.
