Taiwan hit by super typhoon Kong-rey

Typhoon Kong-rey, accompanied by 184km/h winds, torrential rain and ten-meter waves, hit the island of Taiwan on 31 October 2024.

The provisional toll is two dead and more than 500 injured.

In anticipation of the storm, local authorities declared the 31^st of October a day off. Offices and schools were closed, 298 international flights and all domestic flights were cancelled, and ferry operations were suspended.

Around 35 000 soldiers have been deployed to take part in rescue operations. Evacuations have been ordered in eight counties and towns.

The disaster caused flooding, landslides, power outages and extensive damage to infrastructure.

Meteorologists are forecasting destructive winds and over a meter of rain by 1 November.

Kong-rey is considered to be the region's most powerful typhoon in 30 years.