Taiwan prepares for a strong Typhoon Gaemi that killed 13 in PH

A Buddhist nun struggles with her umbrella against gusts of wind generated by Typhoon Gaemi in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. —Photo from the Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan shuttered offices, schools, and tourist sites across the island on Wednesday ahead of a powerful typhoon that already worsened seasonal rains in the Philippines, killed at least 13 people and displaced 600,000.

The outer skirts of Typhoon Gaemi, known in the Philippines as Carina, were bringing heavy rain to much of Taiwan, where a direct landfall was expected Wednesday evening in the northern county of Ylan. Fishing boats were recalled to port amid turbulent seas, while air travelers were rushing to board overseas flights before the storm arrived, amid numerous cancellations.

On Wednesday morning, the typhoon was east of Taiwan moving at 18 kilometers (11 miles) per hour with maximum sustained wind speeds of 183 kilometers (113 miles) per hour, the Central Weather Administration said. In the capital Taipei, heavy rain was falling, but high winds had not yet arrived.

READ: Taiwan braces for Typhoon Gaemi to make landfall

The storm prompted the cancellation of air force drills off Taiwan’s east coast and ferry services on Tuesday.

Despite occasional flooding, Taiwan has substantially improved its resiliency through early warnings and preparations. The effects of the storm were expected to continue into Friday as it moved in a northwestern direction toward mainland China.