Taiwan on alert ahead of Typhoon Kong-rey landfall

Taiwan has begun preparing for a disaster ahead of the landing of a large typhoon Kong Lei, the Chinese Times and other Taiwanese media reported on the 30th.

According to Taiwan's Central Meteorological Department, a "high-grade" typhoon Kongrey is moving northwest at a speed of 20 km per hour in the southeastern sea of the southernmost coastal rain this afternoon.

Kong Lei is expected to make landfall in Pingtung in southern Taiwan and Taitung in eastern Taiwan late at night, the Central Bureau of Meteorology said.

The central air pressure and instantaneous maximum wind speed of Kongrey were estimated to reach 915 hPa (hectopascal) and 234 km per hour, respectively.

"The sea water temperature near Kong-rey is high, making typhoons continue to strengthen and the sphere of influence is expanding," a meteorologist said. "Kong-rey's radius is 320km, the largest since the 1996 typhoon hub, which reached 350km."

The weather report said local heavy rains could fall in some areas, urging people to refrain from visiting dangerous areas such as rivers and mountainous areas.

In mountainous areas and some outer islands, the 24-hour cumulative rainfall has already reached 200-350mm, and the eastern outer islands Lan Yu and Rudao, which are located on the typhoon's path, have been closed and closed.

Cathay Pacific Airways said it will cancel Hong Kong-Taiwan round-trip flights from 31st to 1st next month due to Kongray.