Taiwan Braces for Typhoon Gaemi Amid Military Drills Disruption

Taiwan curtailed its annual Han Kuang military drills as Typhoon Gaemi approaches, expected to make landfall on the northeast coast between Wednesday night and early Thursday. The typhoon has prompted land warnings, ferry cancellations, and potential typhoon holidays affecting financial markets, schools, and offices.

Taiwan curtailed its annual Han Kuang war games on Tuesday as Typhoon Gaemi barreled towards the island, prompting the government to issue a land warning due to expected strong winds and torrential rain. Gaemi, the first typhoon of the season to affect Taiwan, is predicted to make landfall on the northeast coast sometime between Wednesday night and early Thursday, according to the island's Central Weather Administration.

Currently categorized as a medium strength typhoon by Taiwan, Gaemi is likely to move across the Taiwan Strait and hit the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian by early Friday. The government has issued a land warning particularly for the east and northeast regions, indicating a high likelihood of Gaemi making landfall there.

Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military drills this week have been scaled back, including the cancellation of fighter jet exercises on the east coast, the defense ministry announced. "The impact from the typhoon on the east coast is currently quite evident," said ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang at the Hualien air base. "We will adjust some of the air and naval elements given the typhoon situation."

The transport ministry reported the cancellation of all ferries to Green Island and Orchid Island off the southeast coast on Tuesday. Four domestic flights were also canceled, although international services remain unaffected. Cities across Taiwan may declare a typhoon holiday, which could close financial markets, schools, and offices if the weather risk is deemed severe.

Though Gaemi passed east of the Philippines without making landfall, it brought heavy rain. While typhoons can be destructive, Taiwan relies on them to replenish reservoirs after its drier winter months, especially in the southern part of the island.

(With inputs from agencies.)