Typhoon Kong-rey Weakens to Tropical Storm, Heavy Rain and Winds Forecast for East Coast of China

Typhoon Kong-rey has weakened to a tropical storm overnight and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to Shanghai and other regions along China’s east coast on Friday.

The storm, which struck Taiwan as a typhoon, resulted in downed trees and landslides, blocking roads and damaging homes. Tragically, two fatalities have been reported, alongside over 500 injuries. As residents and workers began the clean-up operation, a ride-hailing driver shared his terrifying experience of being trapped in his vehicle after a large tree fell and crushed the passenger side on Thursday night in Taipei, the capital city.

In eastern Taiwan, authorities in Hualien province confirmed that they had re-established contact with a Czech couple who had been feared missing. The pair had set up camp in Taroko National Park and were reported to be in good health, according to the official Central News Agency.

Kong-rey, a name of Cambodian origin, is currently tracking northeast along the Chinese coastline with winds reaching 83 kilometres (52 miles) per hour. The National Meteorological Centre indicated that the storm may make landfall in Zhejiang province before turning back out to sea.

The approaching storm is anticipated to impact Shanghai and parts of Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, with rainfall of 10 to 12 centimetres (4 to 5 inches) expected in some areas.

In preparation for the storm, multiple ferry routes in Zhejiang and neighbouring Fujian province have been suspended.

In Taiwan, light rain was observed on Friday morning in Taipei, while schools and offices across the island had mostly reopened and public services were being restored. Earlier in the week, the typhoon had passed to the north of the Philippines, prompting new evacuations just days after Tropical Storm Trami resulted in the deaths of at least 145 individuals.

Moreover, intense rainfall associated with Trami also led to the deaths of seven people in Hainan province, China, as the storm passed near the island, renowned for its beach resorts off the southern coast of the country.

Frances Ibiefo

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