Typhoon Gaemi Prompts Highest Alert in China as Taiwan Prepares for Landfall

Typhoon Gaemi, the third typhoon of the year, is rapidly intensifying and is expected to bring destructive winds and heavy rainfall to both Taiwan and China.

China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Wednesday morning issued its highest red alert for Typhoon Gaemi, signaling severe weather ahead for the southern regions of the country. Typhoon Gaemi, the third typhoon of the year, is rapidly intensifying and is expected to bring destructive winds and heavy rainfall to both Taiwan and China. As the storm approaches, authorities in both regions are taking extensive measures to mitigate the impact and ensure public safety.

Typhoon Gaemi’s Path and Forecast

As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Typhoon Gaemi was positioned 195 kilometers southeast of Taiwan’s Yilan County. The storm is advancing northwest at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour and is expected to gain strength progressively. The NMC predicts that Gaemi will make its first landfall on Taiwan’s northeast coast by Wednesday night, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain.

Following its passage across Taiwan, Typhoon Gaemi is forecasted to make a second landfall between Fujian’s Fuding and Jinjiang on Thursday afternoon or night. As the storm moves inland, its intensity is projected to decrease gradually.

Impact on Taiwan

Taiwan is preparing for the severe weather associated with Typhoon Gaemi, including winds gusting up to 240 km/h, equivalent to a high Category 4 hurricane. In anticipation of the storm, the government has declared Wednesday a typhoon day, suspending work and classes across the island except for the Kinmen islands. The island’s Central Weather Administration has issued a comprehensive land warning, forecasting the worst conditions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Local authorities have canceled almost all domestic flights and more than 200 international flights, with major carriers like EVA Air, China Airlines, and Starlux Airlines announcing disruptions. The typhoon’s approach has also led to the cancellation of parts of Taiwan’s largest annual military drills, the Han Kuang exercises, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Taiwan’s Preparedness and Response

Taiwan, often struck by typhoons, has a robust track record of preparedness, particularly in urban areas. However, the central and southern mountainous regions, especially those destabilized by a significant earthquake earlier this year, remain vulnerable to landslides and flash flooding. Over one meter of rainfall is expected in these areas within the next 24 hours.

Supermarkets in the capital, Taipei, experienced a rush as residents stocked up on essentials in anticipation of the storm. The Central Weather Administration warns that Gaemi’s moisture-laden system could lead to catastrophic flooding and landslides, particularly in areas with already weakened infrastructure.

China’s Response and Anticipated Impact

As Typhoon Gaemi advances towards China, the NMC forecasts that gales will affect regions including the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, and coastal areas of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Taiwan. From 8 a.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday, these areas are expected to experience severe weather conditions. The storm is likely to bring precipitation up to 600 millimeters in parts of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Taiwan.

In response to the impending storm, Chinese authorities are on high alert, with emergency measures in place to address potential flooding and geological disasters. The recent extreme weather, including devastating floods and landslides, has already strained resources in affected regions.

The Human Cost and Climate Factors

The powerful winds and heavy rainfall of Typhoon Gaemi are not the only concerns. The storm’s rapid intensification, attributed to record-high ocean temperatures caused by the ongoing climate crisis, has exacerbated its destructive potential. Gaemi has intensified by 96 km/h in just 24 hours, far surpassing the rapid intensification benchmark.

The typhoon’s impact is expected to be severe, particularly as it makes landfall near the epicenter of April’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Hualien County, Taiwan. This area, already recovering from significant damage and displacement, faces renewed threats of landslides and infrastructure collapse.

Broader Implications and Historical Context

Typhoon Gaemi’s trajectory and intensity highlight the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events linked to climate change. The warm Pacific waters have provided the perfect conditions for Gaemi to strengthen, emphasizing the urgent need for global climate action.

For China, the typhoon adds to a series of weather-related challenges. In recent weeks, tens of thousands have been evacuated due to floods and landslides across multiple provinces. The agricultural heartland of Henan province has been particularly hard hit, first by scorching temperatures and then by severe floods, impacting crop yields and prompting large-scale evacuations.

A Quick Review

As Typhoon Gaemi approaches, both Taiwan and China are bracing for significant impacts. The highest alert issued by China’s NMC underscores the potential severity of the storm. With comprehensive emergency measures in place, authorities aim to mitigate the damage and protect lives. However, the broader implications of such extreme weather events call for a renewed focus on climate resilience and sustainable practices to address the underlying causes of these increasingly frequent natural disasters.

Stay informed and stay safe as Typhoon Gaemi makes its way across East Asia.