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Super typhoon “Kong-rey” has ravaged the northern Philippines with strong winds and heavy rain, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. According to the Pagasa weather bureau, the storm was packing wind speeds of 195 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour. According to the civil protection authorities, up to five million people could be affected, including residents who are only just recovering from the effects of the severe tropical storm “Trami.”
Schools remained closed, and flights were also canceled in the affected areas. Most recently, the typhoon was near the Batanes archipelago, the northernmost point of the Philippines.
In recent weeks, “Trami” had mainly raged on the main island of Luzon, where the capital Manila is located. Some of the damage is enormous. The death toll has now risen to 150. Most of them drowned in the floods or were hit by floods and landslides. 29 people are still missing. The tropical storm was one of the most devastating to hit the Southeast Asian island state this year.
Meanwhile, “Kong-rey” moved on towards the East Asian island of Taiwan, where a nationwide warning was in place. Before the storm’s expected landfall in the east of the island in the afternoon (local time), school classes were canceled, and many stores and the stock exchange remained closed. More than 8,600 people were brought to safety in various places. In Taroko National Park in eastern Taiwan, the authorities also searched for two Czech tourists with whom contact had been lost.
According to official figures, almost 30 people suffered injuries in connection with the storm. The authorities counted more than 100 accidents and damage caused by fallen trees or road damage. Due to the heavy gusts and rain, all domestic flights and almost 280 international flights were canceled. Ferry services were also suspended. According to meteorologists, “Kong-rey” was expected to move over Taiwan’s west towards China in the evening (local time).
– source: ttz.at/picture: pixabay.com
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