Typhoon Gaemi Latest Update: Taiwan has been reeling under inclement weather with the arrival of a strengthening Typhoon Gaemi, which has forced the authorities to shut down schools, financial markets, and offices and cancel flights. One person has died in Taiwan while 58 have been injured in rain-related incidents. At least 12 people have already been killed in the Philippines due to Typhoon Gaemi while on its way past the country.

The rapidly intensifying Typhoon Gaemi has also disrupted the military exercises, sending them to a halt amid forecasts of torrential rain. Typhoon Gaemi, touted to be the strongest storm to hit Taiwan since 2016, is expected to make landfall on the northeast coast on Wednesday evening (local time). After crossing the Taiwan Strait, it will likely hit the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian late Thursday afternoon.

The weather authorities in Taiwan have upgraded Gaemi's status to a strong typhoon with gusts of up to 227 kph (141 mph) near its centre. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from the mountain regions at strong risk of landslides due to the torrential rains. "The next 24 hours will present a very severe challenge," Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai said after a meeting of the emergency response centre. The typhoon is expected to bring rain of up to 1,800 mm (70 inches) to some mountainous counties in central and southern Taiwan.

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Extremely heavy rains accompanied by strong winds hit rural Yilan county, where Typhoon Gaemi is expected to first hit land. All shops, eateries and other businesses have been shut with almost all roads emptied. The Yilan's harbour of Suao was packed with boats seeking shelter. "It's charging directly towards the east coast and if it makes landfall here the damage would be enormous," a fishing boat captain said as quoted by Reuters.

A fisherman tightens a rope on a boat while moored at a fishing harbor as Typhoon Gaemi approaches in Keelung

(Reuters Image)

Typhoon Gaemi: What All Services Are Affected

Businesses, schools, and colleges across Taiwan were suspended due to the torrential weather, with streets almost deserted in the capital Taipei. Almost all domestic flights had been cancelled, along with 201 international flights, Taiwan's transport ministry said. All rail operations will stop from Wednesday (0400 GMT), with an abbreviated schedule for high-speed links between north and south Taiwan that will continue to operate.

However, TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major supplier to Apple, said it expected its factories to maintain normal production during the typhoon after it activated routine preparations. The Typhoon has also halted this year's annual Han Kuang war games, but they have not been cancelled. At least 29,000 soldiers have been put on standby for disaster relief efforts, Taiwan's Defence Ministry said.

Waves break against the protecting walls as Typhoon Gaemi approaches in Keelung

(Reuters Image)

Typhoon Gaemi: China, Philippines Brace For Impact

Apart from Taiwan, Tphoon Gaemi is also expected to bring very heavy rains over vast swathes of China on Thursday. The areas between the Pearl River basin in the south and the Songhua and Liao River basins on the northeastern border with Russia and North Korea are most likely to be hit by torrential rains in the coming days, China's water resources ministry said, adding, that the rains are expected to last until July 31, fuelled by the typhoon's abundant moisture.

Typhoon Gaemi forces Philippines to halt work, market trading | Reuters

(Reuters Image)

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Philippine capital region and northern provinces also witnessed heavy rains on Wednesday (local time), halting day-to-day work and shutting down schools and offices. Stock and foreign exchange trading has also been suspended in the Philippines. Japanese media said the typhoon also cancelled all flights departing from and arriving at Miyako and Ishigaki in Japan's Okinawa prefecture, which lies in the storm's path.

Typhoon Gaemi: Some Generic Dos and Don'ts

Dos:

- Check houses, secure loose tiles with cement, and repair doors and windows.

- Maintain a hurricane lantern filled with kerosene, a flashlight, and extra dry cells.

- Ensure radios are fully functional and keep extra batteries for transistors.

- Keep the radio on for weather updates from the nearest AIR station and share official information with others.

- Evacuate from low-lying beaches or flood-prone areas early to avoid being stranded.

- Stock up on extra food and drinking water.

- Move valuable items to the upper floors if you are in an evacuation area.

- Ensure a window or door on the side opposite the wind can be opened.

- Remain in shelters until authorities give the all-clear.

Don'ts:

- Avoid being misled by rumours.

- Do not leave shelters until informed by rescue personnel.

- Do not leave safe places during the storm's lull, except for minor repairs.

- Avoid touching loose or dangling wires from lamp posts, as they may be live.