Typhoon Krathon has unleashed significant devastation across southern Taiwan, resulting in two confirmed deaths, 123 injuries, and leaving two individuals unaccounted for as of Thursday afternoon, October 3. The storm’s rampage has prompted mass evacuations and raised serious concerns about safety and infrastructure resilience in the affected regions, as reported by Focus Taiwan (CNA).

The tragic toll commenced earlier in the week with a man in his 70s falling to his death while attempting to trim a tree at his home in Hualien County. This was followed by the death of a 66-year-old man, who was fatally injured when a boulder struck his truck on the South Link Highway in Taimali Township. Emergency responders were unable to save him, marking a sombre start to the week’s weather woes.

As Typhoon Krathon made landfall near Kaohsiung's Siaogang District on Thursday at 12:40 p.m., it was moving at a slow pace of eight kilometres per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 126 kph and gusts reaching up to 162 kph. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) had issued warnings across multiple regions, including southern counties and offshore islands, anticipating severe weather conditions.

In the wake of the typhoon, and in images seen in a collation of Firstpost videos (link above), nearly 9,600 people have been evacuated from 12 cities and counties, with Hualien County experiencing the highest number of displaced residents. Emergency shelters have been set up throughout the region, providing refuge for approximately 1,900 individuals, as communities brace for the storm's impact and possible aftereffects.

Power outages have compounded the crisis, with around 51,000 households affected, predominantly in Pingtung County and Kaohsiung. While efforts to restore power are underway, many remain without electricity, complicating recovery efforts in the storm’s aftermath.

Search and rescue operations have faced significant obstacles due to the treacherous weather. Reports of individuals swept into the sea and missing persons have intensified the urgency of recovery efforts, as emergency teams struggle against perilous conditions. A witness reported a person being swept away near Shuiyuan Bridge in Hualien’s Sioulin Township, highlighting the dangers posed by the storm.

Communities are on high alert as authorities urge residents to remain vigilant. The aftermath of Typhoon Krathon presents a significant challenge, with potential long-term effects on the region's infrastructure and recovery strategies. As Taiwan grapples with the impacts of this severe weather event, the resilience of local populations will be tested in the coming days.