Taiwan intensified its alert level as Typhoon Koinu swept across the southern part of the island today, bringing significant disruption and loss. The storm claimed one life and left more than 300 people injured as it disrupted electricity, water supplies, and transportation networks across multiple counties. At the moment, Koinu was about 350 kilometers west of Cape Eluanbi, the southern tip of Taiwan, moving west at roughly 8 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds reaching 119 kilometers per hour, according to the Taiwan Meteorological Administration.
By Thursday evening, emergency services documented nearly 3,000 incidents linked to the typhoon’s effects. Fallen trees, structural damage, and blockages clogged roads, challenging responders and complicating relief efforts. The constant activity and debris also strained local infrastructure and highlighted the vulnerability of utilities to tropical storms of this magnitude.
Health authorities reported an elderly death in hospital due to injuries from shattered glass driven by strong winds, along with a total of about 304 injuries linked to various accidents. The human impact underscored the urgent need for rapid medical response and safety measures as communities coordinated through the crisis.
Heavy rainfall and fierce winds hindered essential services, prompting temporary interruptions and ongoing concerns. Approximately 329,000 homes lost electricity, while 4,513 homes faced water outages, with more than 70,000 households still awaiting service restoration. The typhoon’s reach extended to transport corridors as more than 110 trains were fully or partially canceled, 46 international flights and 183 domestic flights were scrubbed, and 136 ferry services were suspended along 15 routes. To safeguard travelers and residents, six roadways and highways were closed temporarily for security reasons.
Despite the lifting of land and sea warnings, the weather system continued to generate heavy rain, flood risks, and potential landslides across much of the island. The eastern Taitung and southern Pingtung districts faced the most intense rainfall, with forecasts indicating rain totals could reach up to 200 millimeters within the day. Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities prepared for a T3 typhoon signal as Koinu remained roughly 320 kilometers east-southeast of the region; current forecasts suggested limited impact beyond rain and cooler weekend temperatures.
Typhoon Koinu followed a month after Typhoon Haikui, which struck Taiwan’s southeast in September, injuring dozens and prompting large-scale evacuations. Haikui’s path tracked from the northern Philippines, where strong winds and heavy rains led to about 200 evacuations, damage to 26 homes, and disruptions to schooling across hundreds of locations, according to national disaster data. The broader regional response highlighted the ongoing need for resilient disaster planning and rapid recovery measures to protect at-risk communities.