On Wednesday, Taiwan implemented precautionary measures as Typhoon Gaemi approached, resulting in the closure of government offices, schools, and tourist sites across the island. The powerful typhoon, which had already caused significant damage in the Philippines, was expected to make landfall in Taiwan’s northern county of Yilan by the evening. As the storm neared, authorities took steps to mitigate its impact, including recalling fishing boats from the sea and urging travelers to board flights before the storm arrived. The heightened alert led to numerous flight cancellations as people scrambled to avoid the storm’s effects.
Devastation in the Philippines
Typhoon Gaemi, known as Carina in the Philippines, had a severe impact on the archipelago even before making landfall. The storm aggravated seasonal monsoon rains, leading to intense flooding and landslides across the region. Over the past five days, these extreme weather conditions resulted in at least eight fatalities and displaced approximately 600,000 individuals. Of those displaced, around 35,000 sought refuge in emergency shelters set up by local authorities.
In the densely populated areas surrounding Manila, continuous rainfall caused extensive flooding. The torrential rains submerged many streets, trapping vehicles and leaving residents stranded. In some areas, people had to wade through knee- and waist-deep water, while others used improvised boats to navigate the streets alongside abandoned cars and trucks. The relentless flooding also led to the suspension of government work and school classes, further complicating the situation for affected residents.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the crisis on social media, emphasizing the need for immediate assistance to those impacted by Typhoon Carina and the intensified southwest monsoon. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that over 350 passengers and cargo truck drivers were stranded in seaports due to a ban on ferry and cargo ship operations in the rough seas. In addition, the Coast Guard facilitated the evacuation of more than 200 residents from a coastal village in Batangas province, where storm-driven waves had severely affected homes.
Conditions in Taiwan
By Wednesday morning, Typhoon Gaemi was situated east of Taiwan, moving at a pace of 13 kilometers per hour. The storm featured maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 198 kilometers per hour. In Taipei, heavy rain had begun to fall, but the high winds had not yet made their presence felt. Authorities in Taiwan had canceled air force drills off the east coast and disrupted ferry services the previous day in preparation for the storm’s arrival.
Taiwan has made significant advancements in storm resilience through improved early warning systems and extensive preparation efforts. Despite these measures, the impact of Typhoon Gaemi was expected to continue into Friday as the storm moved in a northwestern direction towards mainland China. The island nation remains on high alert, with emergency services prepared to respond to any immediate needs arising from the storm’s effects.
Ongoing Response and Preparations
As Typhoon Gaemi continues its path through the region, both Taiwan and the Philippines are actively engaged in response efforts. In Taiwan, emergency services are on standby, and the public has been advised to stay informed through official weather updates and adhere to safety recommendations. In the Philippines, ongoing relief efforts are focused on providing assistance and support to the displaced populations, ensuring their safety and addressing immediate needs.
Authorities in both countries are closely monitoring the storm’s progress and are prepared to take further actions as necessary to mitigate the damage and support affected communities. The situation remains dynamic, with continued updates expected as Typhoon Gaemi moves through the region.