Taiwan braces for impact: Island-Wide shutdown as Typhoon Gaemi looms

YEPS
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– Island Nation Braces for Nature’s Fury as Typhoon Gaemi Approaches

Taiwan finds itself in the eye of the storm as Typhoon Gaemi bears down on the island, prompting widespread precautionary measures. The government has declared a typhoon holiday, closing schools and suspending stock market operations as the powerful storm, with winds reaching 190 km/h, threatens to make landfall.

President Lai Ching-te has issued a clarion call for safety, urging citizens to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. This marks Gaemi as the first typhoon to directly hit Taiwan this year, heightening concerns among officials and residents alike.

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The storm’s approach has forced alterations to Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang war games, designed to test the island’s readiness for potential Chinese invasion. However, an anti-landing drill proceeded as planned on Penghu island, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to defense preparedness even in the face of natural disasters.

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In a proactive move, authorities have evacuated over 4,000 individuals from high-risk areas, particularly in the landslide-prone Hualien region. The island’s transportation network has ground to a halt, with trains, ferries, and hundreds of flights cancelled.

Taiwan’s weather chief, Cheng Jia-ping, warns of an extended impact lasting until Friday, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance against heavy rainfall and strong winds.

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The typhoon’s projected path includes passage through the Taiwan Strait before potentially making landfall in China’s eastern provinces, where a red storm alert has been issued.

Coastal areas are already feeling Gaemi’s effects, with massive waves battering shorelines and local businesses scrambling to protect their livelihoods. In Taipei, the capital city has taken on a ghost-town appearance as residents heed warnings to stay indoors.

Despite the looming threat, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global leader in chip production, maintains its operations while implementing standard typhoon preparedness measures.

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The increasing frequency and intensity of such storms have been linked to climate change, raising concerns about future impacts on the region.

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As Taiwan hunkers down, neighboring countries are also feeling Gaemi’s influence. Japan’s Okinawa region is on high alert, while the Philippines grapples with flooding in Manila and a deadly landslide in a nearby province.

The coming hours will be crucial as Taiwan faces this latest test of its resilience against nature’s formidable forces.

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