Taiwan Grounds Flights as Typhoon Gaemi Approaches

Taiwan is preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Gaemi, which is expected to make landfall on the island’s northeast coast late on Wednesday. As the first typhoon of the season to impact the island, Gaemi has prompted the cancellation of major parts of Taiwan’s largest annual military exercises and disrupted air travel.

The Transport Ministry announced the cancellation of almost all domestic flights and over 200 international flights as the island braces for the storm. Gaemi’s powerful winds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph), equivalent to a high-category 4 hurricane, pose significant risks to the region.

Gaemi has already caused widespread flooding in the Philippines, particularly in Manila, where relentless rains have turned streets into rivers. Taiwan’s government has declared Wednesday a typhoon day, suspending work and classes across the island, except for the Kinmen islands.

The storm is currently tracking slightly north and is expected to pass through northern Taiwan, including the capital, Taipei, late Wednesday night. It will then move into the Taiwan Strait on Thursday before striking Fujian’s coast in southeastern China.

Despite the strong winds, the primary concern is the immense amount of moisture Gaemi carries. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration has issued a land warning for the entire island, forecasting that the worst wind and rain will occur on Wednesday and Thursday.

Authorities warn that more than one meter of rainfall is expected in the central and southern mountains over the next 24 hours. These areas, previously destabilized by an earthquake earlier this year, face the risk of landslides and flash flooding.

In Taipei, residents are already experiencing heavy rain and increasing winds. Supermarket shelves were emptied on Tuesday evening as people stocked up in anticipation of potential price hikes following the typhoon.

The impending storm has also led to the cancellation of parts of the Hang Kuang military drills scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Despite previous claims that these would be “the most realistic ever,” the government prioritized safety due to the typhoon’s threat.