Taiwan Suspends Activities and Cancels Flights in Preparation for Typhoon Koinu

Taiwan prepared today, Wednesday, for Typhoon Koinu by closing financial markets, suspending work, canceling flights, and putting the military on alert amidst expectations of heavy rain and strong winds.

According to the island’s Central Weather Administration, Typhoon Koinu, the first typhoon of the season to hit Taiwan, is expected to make landfall on the northeastern coast late Wednesday, reports Reuters.

Taiwan classifies the typhoon as moderately strong, and it is likely to move across the Taiwan Strait.

In the rural county of Yilan, where the typhoon will first make landfall, the winds and rains have intensified, leading to the closure of restaurants and significant road emptiness.

Authorities have suspended work and classes across Taiwan, making the streets of the capital, Taipei, almost deserted during rush hour amidst heavy rain.