Heavy tropical storm - Typhoon "Gaemi" hit Taiwan and China - Ships sunk
In Taiwan, at least three people have been killed by Typhoon "Gaemi" during heavy rain and storm. According to the Taiwanese authorities, 380 people were injured. A cargo ship sank off the coast of the island republic due to the storm. The authorities are waiting for better weather conditions to continue the search for the nine crew members from Myanmar, as reported by the Taiwanese Emergency Operations Center (CEOC).
Television footage showed heavy rainfall and widespread flooding. Vehicles were damaged by uprooted trees. At one point, more than 450,000 households were reportedly without power. The Taiwanese military expedited a previously planned exercise to help in regions heavily affected by the storm.
The center of the tropical storm reached the eastern coast of Taiwan, Yilan city, early Thursday morning (local time), and continued moving towards the west. Schools and offices were closed, as they had been the previous day when the first fringes of "Gaemi" affected large parts of the island republic. The stock exchange in Taiwan was closed for the second consecutive day.
Tropical storm moving towards China
A 64-year-old roller skater was killed by uprooted trees in the southern city of Kaohsiung. Another man died when his house was hit by landslides. In Hualien, a 45-year-old woman was killed when her car was hit by a collapsing wall. Her child was reportedly in critical condition. Another death was initially reported in New Taipei City, but the Emergency Operations Center later stated that the accident was not related to the typhoon.
"Gaemi" reached the Chinese coast in the afternoon on Thursday, and authorities had been warning about the approaching storm for days. According to the state news agency Xinhua, around 150,000 people in the coastal province of Fujian were evacuated to safety. In China, there had already been heavy rain and flooding throughout the summer, resulting in numerous casualties. Beijing had been experiencing heavy rain since Wednesday.
An oil tanker sank off the coast of the Philippines before the storm hit Taiwan. The National Police reported that the death toll had risen to 21. Many deaths were caused by landslides and floods. Manila was particularly affected, with six people reportedly drowning. The water levels in some areas were reportedly several meters high.
The oil tanker, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial hexane, sank in shallow waters of only 34 meters, making it easier to pump out the oil, according to a spokesperson for the Coast Guard. However, there was still a significant risk that Manila and the surrounding coasts could be affected. The oil spill was initially contained but could still pose a threat. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the relevant authorities to take immediate action to control the leak.
- The approaching Typhoon "Gaemi" was also causing concern in neighboring Burma, where preparations for evacuations were underway.
- In response to the mounting weather challenges, China and Taiwan have been sharing weather data to better predict and prepare for extreme conditions.
- The Taiwanese economy, significantly impacted by Typhoon "Gaemi", is expected to face challenges in recovering due to disrupted supply chains, particularly in the vehicle sector.
- The Military in Beijing has been mobilized to assist in relief efforts, providing vehicles and manpower to aid in the relief and restoration efforts.
- The Philippine authorities have been working tirelessly to handle the emergency situations caused by Typhoon "Gaemi", with efforts focused on preventing major flooding and providing aid to affected areas.
- Power outages due to Typhoon "Gaemi" and tropical storms have been a persistent issue, not only in Taiwan but also in other countries like China and the Philippines.
- Climate change has been cited as a contributing factor to the increased frequency and intensity of tropical storms, such as Typhoon "Gaemi", leading to a heightened sense of urgency to address global warming.
- Private companies in Taipei and Manila have also been affected by Typhoon "Gaemi", with businesses forced to close due to the bad weather and the resulting power outages.
- The United Nations has called for international cooperation and assistance to help these affected countries cope with the impacts of Typhoon "Gaemi" and prevent future disasters.
