24-7-2024 (MANILA) The Philippines found itself in the grip of Typhoon Gaemi on Wednesday, as the powerful storm, coupled with a southwest monsoon, unleashed torrential rains across the capital region and northern provinces. The severe weather conditions prompted authorities to take swift action, suspending work, classes, and financial trading in a bid to ensure public safety.
In a decisive move, the presidential office announced the suspension of classes at all academic levels and halted work in most government offices throughout the capital region. This sprawling metropolitan area, home to approximately 13 million residents across 16 cities, faced the brunt of the storm’s impact.
As of Wednesday morning, Typhoon Gaemi boasted maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 190 kph. While the typhoon did not make direct landfall in the Philippines, its influence intensified the southwest monsoon, resulting in heavy to intense rainfall across the northern parts of the country.
The state weather agency issued stern warnings, cautioning that “flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely” due to the severe weather conditions. This latest meteorological assault comes on the heels of last week’s tropical storms, Gaemi and Prapiroon, which wreaked havoc in the southern Philippines, claiming seven lives.
The storm’s far-reaching effects extended to the nation’s transport systems. The Philippine coastguard reported 354 passengers and 31 vessels stranded in ports, while Manila’s airport authority announced the cancellation of 13 flights on Wednesday alone.
As the Philippines grappled with Gaemi’s aftermath, neighbouring Taiwan braced for the typhoon’s imminent arrival. The island nation took preemptive measures, closing financial markets, granting workers a day off, cancelling flights, and placing the military on standby.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration forecasted Gaemi, categorised as a medium-strength typhoon, to make landfall on the northeast coast by early Wednesday evening. The storm is then expected to traverse the Taiwan Strait before striking China’s southeastern Fujian province late Friday afternoon.
In anticipation of the typhoon’s landfall, Taiwan suspended work and school activities nationwide. The usually bustling streets of Taipei were eerily quiet during what would typically be rush hour, as squally rain swept through the capital.
The impending threat led to the cancellation of almost all domestic flights and 27 international flights, according to the Transport Ministry. However, TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a key supplier to Apple, expressed confidence in maintaining normal production throughout the typhoon, having activated routine preparatory procedures.
Weather forecasts predict staggering rainfall totals of up to 1,800 millimetres in some mountainous central and southern regions of Taiwan during the typhoon’s passage. In response, Taiwan’s defence ministry has readied its forces to assist with potential disaster relief efforts.
As Typhoon Gaemi approaches China, coastal provinces have begun implementing emergency response plans. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has issued heightened alerts for flooding in Fujian and neighbouring Zhejiang province.
