Taiwan: Tropical Storm Krathon tracking eastward over Pingtung County late Oct. 3 /update 9

Tropical Storm Krathon is tracking eastward over Pingtung County in southern Taiwan late Oct. 3, having made landfall as a typhoon over Kaohsiung City around noon Oct. 3. As of 23:00 CST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 280 km (174 miles) south-southwest of Taipei, Taiwan.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will weaken into a tropical depression as it tracks north-northwestward over Kaohsiung City early Oct. 4, before weakening further as it tracks northwestward into Chiayi County through Oct. 4. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

As of late Oct. 3, the Taiwan Central Weather Administration has issued sea and land typhoon warnings across central and southern Taiwan and surrounding coastal waters. Purple extremely heavy rain advisories (the highest level on a four-tier scale) are in place across Keelung North Coast, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Hengchun Peninsula, and Taitung County. Red, orange, and yellow heavy rain advisories are in effect across much of the rest of Taiwan. Short-term thunderstorm warnings have also been issued across parts of Taiwan and strong wind advisories are in place for most coastal areas.

Taiwan authorities evacuated around 10,000 people from vulnerable and landslide-prone mountainous areas ahead of the storm's approach, with the worst affected areas in Hualien County and Kaohsiung City, and urged people to avoid visiting coastal and mountainous areas. Authorities have warned residents in Kaohsiung City to take shelter and avoid the sea. Authorities have reported two weather-related fatalities, more than 200 others injured, and one other person missing as of late Oct. 3. Flooding, landslides, wind damage, and associated disruptions are ongoing across parts of Taiwan, with areas of Kaohsiung City near where the storm made landfall amongst the worst affected. More than 178,000 households across Taiwan are without power, around half of which are in Kaohsiung City. Full damage assessments may not be able to be conducted until the worst of the severe weather has passed and it may take some time for the full extent of the storm's impact if confirmed.

Airlines canceled some international and domestic flights across Taiwan Oct. 1 and all domestic and dozens of international flights Oct. 2-3. Authorities have halted transportation services between Hualien and Taitung, sections of the South Link Line, and Jiji Line and Shalun Line in central Taiwan. Trains from Taipei to Hualien will run only to Heren or Heping stations, while trains from Hualien to Yilan will operate to Xincheng station in Hualien County. The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) suspended services on the southern sections from Changhua to Zuoying stations Oct. 3 and has scaled back services; operations between Nangang and Taichung are scheduled to continue. Many public transportation services in Kaohsiung are suspended or reduced, including the suspension of the city bus services and Kaohsiung Light Rail, while the Kaohsiung MRT services have been reduced to one train every 20 minutes. Taiwan's national parks and beaches are closed. Ferry operators have suspended services. Schools and offices are closed across Taiwan through at least Oct. 3. The Taipei city government declared a typhoon holiday Oct. 2-3, shutting financial markets.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.