Typhoon Koinu strikes Taiwan, leaving 190 injured and thousands without power
Taipei: At least 190 were injured by typhoon Koinu in Taiwan, with over 60,000 houses and commercial buildings still without power, the Central News Agency (CNA) of Taiwan reported on Thursday, news agency Sputnik reported.
The typhoon made landfall in Pingtung County in the southern part of the island, with a recorded pressure of 945 hPa and maximum wind speeds reaching up to 48 meters per second (106.8 miles per hour).
3:25 am. It’s starting in Kenting. Chasing #Typhoon #KOINU in #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/QbDc0wRbHw
— Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone) October 4, 2023
This powerful wind led to the destruction of commercial banners, power lines, and city structures, as well as the uprooting of trees.
Taiwan Power reported that the typhoon left over 174,500 houses and commercial buildings without electricity. While power has been restored in most affected areas, approximately 60,000 households still remain without power.
Typhoon Koinu ripped through southern Taiwan on Thursday, causing injuries to 190 people and killing one woman. The typhoon unleashed record-breaking winds of over 340 km/h, which tore down power poles, leaving nearly 330,000 households without electricity. pic.twitter.com/78lyehGYBX
— NoComment (@nocomment) October 5, 2023
The southeastern coast of Taiwan, specifically Lan Yu Island, experienced a historically unprecedented wind speed of 95 meters per second (212 miles per hour).
The adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of 42 international flights and 182 flights at local airports, along with the suspension of ferry services.
The impact of Typhoon Koinu is expected to persist in Taiwan until Friday morning, with meteorological warnings issued for rainfall likely to splash in Pingtung, Taitung, Hualien counties, and mountainous regions around Taipei.