Super Typhoon Kong-rey Approaches Taiwan, Threatening Heavy Damage

Kong-rey is expected to make landfall as Taiwan faces warnings of mudslides and flight cancellations

Super Typhoon Kong-rey is on a direct path toward Taiwan, expected to arrive on Thursday with sustained winds comparable to a Category 4 hurricane, raising concerns for severe impacts on the island. As of Wednesday, authorities have begun grounding flights and calling boats back to shore in preparation for the storm's arrival. Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai underscored the seriousness of the situation, stating the winds and resulting heavy rains could induce mudslides and block vital roads across eastern Taiwan. In a concerning update, Kong-rey skirted past the northern part of the Philippines, an area still reeling from the effects of Tropical Storm Trami, which resulted in significant loss of life and property. The Philippine government reported a death toll of at least 139 individuals due to the combined effects of these storms, with numerous people still unaccounted for. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration imposed land warnings, a necessary step when winds are anticipated to reach at least 39 miles per hour within a limited time frame.