Typhoon Gaemi has wreaked havoc across Taiwan and the Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life in its wake. The storm, described as the strongest to hit Taiwan in eight years, made landfall in eastern Taiwan’s Yilan County on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with wind speeds reaching up to 227 km/h.In Taiwan, the typhoon has claimed at least two lives and injured hundreds, with reports varying from 279 to 284 people. The storm caused widespread flooding and power outages, with over 450,000 households initially losing electricity. As of Thursday morning, around 87,000 households were still without power. The typhoon’s impact led to the closure of schools, offices, and the stock exchange for two consecutive days.One of the most alarming incidents occurred off the coast of Kaohsiung, where a cargo ship flying the Tanzanian flag sank in the storm. Nine crew members from Myanmar are missing, with rescue efforts hampered by adverse weather conditions. Hsaio Huan-chang from the local fire department stated, “As soon as the weather allows it, we will send both rescue boats and helicopters to the area, but for now it’s not possible”.The Philippines has also suffered significantly from Typhoon Gaemi, with the death toll rising to 21. Many of these fatalities were caused by landslides and flash floods, particularly affecting the capital city of Manila, where six people drowned in floodwaters. Adding to the environmental concerns, a tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial heating oil sank off the coast of Manila, though it’s unclear if this incident is directly related to the typhoon.As Typhoon Gaemi weakens and moves away from Taiwan, it is now tracking towards China’s southeastern coast, specifically the province of Fujian. Chinese authorities have taken preemptive measures, evacuating around 150,000 people and suspending flights and train services in the region. The Chinese Meteorological Administration expects the typhoon to bring heavy rainfall and flooding to the provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang.Climate experts have linked the increasing intensity of tropical storms like Gaemi to climate change, warning of more frequent occurrences of heavy rains, flash floods, and strong gusts in the future. The economic impact of such storms is substantial, with last year’s Typhoon Doksuri causing an estimated $2 billion in damages.
Key points
- Typhoon Gaemi has caused at least 2 deaths in Taiwan and 21 in the Philippines.
- A cargo ship sank off Taiwan’s coast, with 9 crew members missing.
- The typhoon is now heading towards China’s Fujian province, prompting mass evacuations.
- Climate change is linked to the increasing intensity of such tropical storms.
Contradictions👾The number of injured in Taiwan varies slightly between reports, ranging from 279 to 284.
👾There are conflicting reports about whether the sinking of an oil tanker near Manila is directly related to the typhoon.
