After the passage of Typhoon Krathon, Taiwan is gradually returning to normalcy. The typhoon, which brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the island, has finally dissipated over a mountain range. While a heavy rain advisory remains in place for the northern coast and mountainous areas due to two landslides, work, classes, and flights have resumed across most of Taiwan.
Krathon had caused significant disruptions, with schools and businesses closed for three days. However, the storm weakened to a tropical depression early Friday, allowing operations to resume. Domestic flights, which were grounded for two days, have also started operating again.
Notably, the city of Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, and some parts of Hualien County and New Taipei are exceptions to the reopening, as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the typhoon. Kaohsiung, in particular, faced winds of up to 126 kph and experienced tree falls and road flooding.
Tragically, two individuals lost their lives during the storm, and one person remains missing after being swept off a bridge. The heavy rains and flooding, especially in mountainous Taitung County, have posed challenges for residents and authorities. However, the overall impact of Krathon was less severe than initially anticipated, with the storm losing strength after making landfall.
Authorities had feared devastation comparable to a major typhoon from 1977, which caused significant casualties. Fortunately, Krathon did not reach that level of destruction, thanks in part to its weakening over Taiwan. The Central Weather Administration noted that Krathon is one of the rare typhoons to dissipate over the island, with only one other similar occurrence in recent history.
As Taiwan begins the recovery process, the focus is on restoring normalcy and addressing the challenges posed by the storm. With the resilience of its people and the efforts of authorities, Taiwan is on the path to recovery after weathering the impact of Typhoon Krathon.
