Typhoon Gaemi approached southern China on Thursday, causing devastation in Taiwan and the Philippines. At least two people were confirmed dead in Taiwan, with nine sailors missing after their cargo ship sank during the storm.
Authorities in Taiwan had to close schools, offices, and the stock market, as well as evacuate thousands of people due to the powerful typhoon, the strongest in eight years to hit the island.
The typhoon also led to severe flooding and landslides in the Philippines, resulting in six fatalities. Additionally, a tanker carrying a large amount of oil sank off Manila, prompting urgent efforts to contain an oil spill.
By Thursday morning, the typhoon had weakened and moved out to sea, according to Taiwan’s weather authorities. However, a cargo ship sank off Taiwan’s coast, leaving its crew stranded in the water until rescued by a nearby Taiwanese ship.
The storm made landfall in Taiwan with wind speeds reaching 190 kilometers per hour, causing injuries and fatalities. The city of Kaohsiung saw significant damage, with streets flooded and buildings affected.
Now, Typhoon Gaemi is heading towards China’s Fujian province, causing train services to be suspended and flood warnings to be issued. In the Philippines, residents are dealing with the aftermath of the storm, cleaning up debris and assessing the damage.
The impact of tropical storms in the region has been intensified by climate change, leading to more frequent and powerful storms with devastating consequences.
