Typhoon Krathon, the latest severe weather system to hit Asia, has strengthened into a Supertyphoon, causing widespread destruction across the region. This powerful storm, known as Typhoon Julian in the Philippines, highlights a troubling trend of increasingly intense tropical cyclones in the area.
Philippines Bears the Brunt
The Krathon typhoon has already left a trail of devastation in the Philippines. Governor Marilou Cayco of Batanes province described the storm’s impact in a televised interview: “There are winds so powerful it feels like an earthquake.” The severe weather in Asia has forced many citizens into evacuation centers, with reports of flooding, landslides, and extensive structural damage across northern Luzon, including the capital, Manila.
According to the Philippine weather service, Supertyphoon Krathon reached wind speeds of up to 114.953 mph (185 km/h) over the South China Sea, with gusts peaking at 142.9192 mph (230 km/h).
Taiwan Prepares for Krathon's Approach
As the Krathon typhoon moves away from the Philippines, Taiwan is now in its path. Meteorologists predict the supertyphoon will make landfall on Taiwan’s southwestern coast on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, with the storm expected to intensify further.
Taiwanese authorities have issued warnings for strong winds and heavy rain in Pingtung and Taitung counties and Kaohsiung city. In preparation for the severe weather, Taiwan has implemented several safety measures:
- Military forces are on standby for disaster relief
- Fishing boats have been recalled to port, and flights have been cancelled
- Emergency shelters have been established in high-risk areas
- Public advisories have been issued, urging residents to stockpile essential supplies
The potential disruption to Taiwan’s crucial semiconductor industry has raised concerns about the storm’s economic impact on the global technology supply chain.
Tropical Cyclone Activity in Asia: A Growing Concern
Typhoon Krathon is the latest in a series of intense storms to strike Asia in recent months, following Typhoons Gaemi and Yagi. This pattern of increasingly powerful tropical cyclones in Asia has alarmed climate scientists and policymakers.
A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects an increase in intense tropical cyclones globally due to climate change. For the Western North Pacific basin, including the Philippines and Taiwan, this could lead to more storms like Supertyphoon Krathon in the future.
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