Typhoon Gaemi has slammed into Taiwan’s east coast, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain.
The powerful storm, packing gusts of up to 240km/h (150mph), has been described as the most severe to hit the island in eight years.
One person has tragically lost their life after being struck by a fallen tree. Authorities are on high alert for landslides and flash flooding, particularly in areas destabilized by a recent earthquake.
To prepare for the storm’s impact, Taiwan has canceled its largest annual military drills and grounded most domestic and international flights. Despite the severe weather, chip manufacturing giant TSMC has announced plans to maintain normal operations.
Before reaching Taiwan, Gaemi brought torrential rain to the Philippines, causing widespread flooding. The typhoon is expected to weaken as it crosses Taiwan’s mountainous terrain before making a second landfall in China.
