Typhoon Kamei weakens and is expected to make landfall in Fujian Province, Taiwan expected to escape the storm circle.

On July 25, 2024, the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau announced that Typhoon Kemi has weakened, and Pingtung has already escaped the typhoon’s eyewall. It is predicted that Taiwan Island may also leave the eyewall in the evening, with Typhoon Kemi expected to make landfall along the coast of Fujian in China by evening.

According to the Taiwan Central Disaster Response Center, as of 8 p.m. on the 24th, the typhoon has caused 2 deaths and 201 injuries, including a woman in Kaohsiung who was killed by a fallen tree while riding a motorcycle, and a woman in Hualien who was killed by a falling wall while inside a house. Over 50,000 households in Kaohsiung and other areas experienced power outages.

The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau reported at 10:15 a.m. today that the center of Typhoon Kemi (internationally named GAEMI) was located at 24.9 degrees north latitude and 120.0 degrees east longitude, about 100 kilometers west of Hsinchu, moving at a speed of 10 to 14 kilometers per hour towards the northwest.

Meteorologist Liu Yuqi stated that the typhoon’s strong wind radius still covers most of the airspace over Taiwan. As Kemi continues to move northwest, Pingtung has already escaped the eyewall, but due to the vigorous convective cloud system on the south side of the typhoon, the winds and rains in the central and southern regions remain strong. The Central Weather Bureau estimates that Taiwan Island may leave the eyewall in the evening to late night, reminding everyone to stay alert for typhoon updates.

Liu Yuqi added that as Kemi continues to move northwestward, it is expected to make landfall along the coast of Fujian, China in the evening. This will have the greatest impact on Taiwan’s offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu, so local residents should prepare for the typhoon.

Based on the latest meteorological data, the Central Weather Bureau stated that Typhoon Kemi has slightly weakened in intensity over the past 3 hours and is currently located west of Hsinchu, moving towards the west-northwest to northwest. Although Pingtung has escaped the eyewall, vigilance is still needed due to ongoing rainfall. The eyewall still covers areas north of Kaohsiung, the eastern half, Nantou, Penghu, Matsu, Kinmen, with continued strong winds and rains in those regions. The intensity of the typhoon is expected to decrease.

The Central Weather Bureau designated the following areas under land storm alert: New Taipei, Keelung, Taipei, Yilan, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Hualien, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taitung (including Lanyu and Green Island), Penghu, Matsu, Kinmen. Mariners and vessels near Taiwan are also advised to be on high alert.

As the typhoon continues to move westward towards the northwestern part of Taiwan, areas in the central and southern regions, especially in mountainous regions, are at risk of extremely heavy rain. Moderate to heavy rain is also likely to occur in the plains south of Miaoli, prompting caution. Outdoor objects like signs, fences, and scaffolding should be secured, and balcony plants should be properly placed.

The Central Weather Bureau warned of rough seas and strong winds along coastal areas near Taiwan, including Lanyu, Green Island, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, with waves potentially exceeding 6 meters and long waves occurring. People are advised to avoid seaside activities. During high tide, especially in low-lying coastal areas south of Chiayi, there is a risk of seawater backflow and flooding.

A special land wind warning was issued by the Central Weather Bureau, indicating that due to the impact of the typhoon today, coastal areas, open areas, and offshore islands in Taiwan are experiencing strong winds. Coastal and open areas of Pingtung, Hengchun Peninsula, Lanyu, Green Island, Matsu, Penghu are expected to have gusts of 11 to 13 on the Beaufort scale, while northern Kaohsiung, eastern coastal areas, Taipei, and Kinmen may experience gusts of 9 to 10. Chiayi City and Nantou are also expected to have gusts of 8 to 9. Extra caution is advised.