Taiwan is preparing for Typhoon Gaemi, the first typhoon of the season, which is set to make landfall on Taiwan’s northeast coast. Schools and work have been suspended, and Taipei’s streets are deserted as the storm approaches. With 29,000 soldiers on standby, heavy rain and strong winds are expected.
Significant preparations have been made with financial markets closed, flights cancelled, and offices shut. Flights have been grounded, rail operations are suspended, and over 2,000 people have been evacuated from high-risk mountain areas to prevent landslides.
At the same time, Typhoon Gaemi has caused devastation in the Philippines, with eight fatalities and over 600,000 people displaced due to flooding and landslides. The storm, with wind speeds equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, is on track to intensify further as it heads towards Taiwan.