Typhoon Gaemi Wreaks Havoc in Taiwan and Heads to China

Typhoon Gaemi struck northern Taiwan, causing fatalities, floods, and traffic disruptions before moving toward China for more torrential rain. It is the strongest typhoon to hit Taiwan in eight years. The typhoon led to casualties, injuries, closed schools, offices, and halted train and flight operations.

Typhoon Gaemi swept across northern Taiwan on Thursday, killing two people and causing widespread floods and traffic chaos before moving towards China, where it is expected to deliver more heavy rain.

The typhoon, which made landfall in Taiwan's Yilan county around midnight, is the strongest to hit the island in eight years. Initial gusts reached 227 kph (141 mph) before weakening, according to the Central Weather Administration. By 8:30 am, Gaemi was in the Taiwan Strait heading towards Fuzhou in China's Fujian province.

The storm prompted the closure of offices, schools, and financial markets for a second consecutive day in Taiwan. Train services, including the high-speed rail, were suspended until 3 pm, with all domestic flights and 185 international flights canceled. Taiwanese authorities reported two fatalities and 266 injuries due to the typhoon, with local TV showing submerged streets across the island. Chinese meteorologists predict Gaemi will traverse Fujian and move northward, diminishing in force but still bringing significant rainfall.

Preparations for heavy rain and flooding are underway in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. Meanwhile, north China, which is dealing with unrelated summer storms, saw Beijing issue a red warning for torrential rain expected to persist through Thursday, with some areas bracing for up to 200 mm of rainfall within 24 hours.

(With inputs from agencies.)