Powerful Typhoon Gaemi Threatens Taiwan and the Philippines: A Comprehensive Report
Typhoon Gaemi, a tropical cyclone of significant strength, is currently making its way towards Taiwan and the Philippines. The storm has already caused devastating floods in the Philippines, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and displacing over 600,000 people.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall on Taiwan later on Wednesday night. In preparation for this event, Taiwanese authorities have shut down offices, schools, and tourist sites across the island. Hundreds of flights have been canceled as a result of the impending storm.
Typhoon Gaemi's outer skirt is currently bringing heavy rain to much of Taiwan. The Central Weather Administration has upgraded Gaemi to a 'severe typhoon,' the highest level on their three-tier scale, making it the most powerful storm to make landfall on Taiwan in eight years.
The U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports that Typhoon Gaemi has maximum sustained wind speeds of 183 kilometers (113 miles) per hour, making it a Category 4 hurricane on the five-tier wind scale used to measure tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition to Taiwan and the Philippines, Typhoon Gaemi is also expected to affect Fujian in South East China. The storm's heavy rainfall and strong winds pose a significant threat to these countries, particularly in areas prone to landslides and flash flooding.
The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMO) has declared Wednesday a 'typhoon day,' suspending work and classes across the country except for the Kinmen islands. The government has also suspended stock and foreign exchange trading in Metro Manila, home to nearly 15 million people.
Associated Press journalists Jim Gomez and Joeal Calupitan reported that at least 13 people have been killed in the Philippines due to Typhoon Gaemi and monsoon rains. The storm caused at least a dozen landslides and floods, displacing 600,000 people including 35,000 who went to emergency shelters.
In southern Taiwan, a woman was crushed to death by a tree brought down by high winds from the typhoon. The U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports that Gaemi is currently tracking slightly further north and will cross the north of Taiwan, including Taipei later on Wednesday night.
Despite the very strong winds, officials say that the main threat from Gaemi is from the huge amount of moisture it is carrying. The island's Central Weather Administration has issued a land warning for all of Taiwan, expecting wind and rain to be at their worst on Wednesday and Thursday.
Taiwan authorities are warning that more than one meter of rainfall can be expected across the central and southern mountains of the island in the next 24 hours. The area in central Taiwan that will be hit was struck by a large earthquake earlier this year, which destabilised mountainsides. There is therefore potential for landslides and flash flooding.
In Manila, Gaemi and a southwest monsoon brought heavy rain on Wednesday to the Philippine capital region and northern provinces. Work and classes have been halted there while stock and foreign exchange trading were suspended.
Metro Manila, home to nearly 15 million people, was placed under a state of calamity as rivers and creeks overflowed. Footage circulating on social media showed small cars floating in chest-deep waters and commuters trapped on the roofs of buses.
The state weather bureau said the rains, which are typical at this time of the year, could persist until Thursday.
Despite Gaemi's destructive potential, it is important to remember that all sources should be approached with a healthy dose of skepticism. As a neutral and objective journalist, it is my duty to provide you with accurate and unbiased information. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and bring you updates as they become available.
