Taiwan prepares for direct hit by Typhoon Gaemi

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration issued a land warning for Typhoon Gaemi at 11:30 am Tuesday, as the tropical storm intensified into a medium-strength typhoon while heading for a direct hit on the northern part of the island.

According to the CWA alert, at 8:00 am this morning Typhoon Gaemi was located 470 kilometers east-southeast of Taiwan’s most southerly point, Point Eluanbi. The system has a central air pressure of 965 hPa, and a storm radius of 200 kilometers packing sustained winds of up to 144 kilometers per hour with gusts up to 180 kilometers per hour.

Typhoon Gaemi is moving north-northwest at around 20 kilometers per hour and is expected to make landfall in Yilan County on Taiwan’s northeastern coast between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

The CWA said that the warning area includes Greater Taipei, Yilan County, Hualian County and Taitung County.

Effects of the storm began to be felt today, Tuesday, with cloud systems forming and brief showers in eastern and northern areas of Taiwan. The rain will begin to intensify with the possibility of storms and thunder showers in the afternoon. The greatest impact will be felt Wednesday and Thursday.

Wing gusts of up to Beaufort Scale level 10 are expected to be felt on Orchid Island and Green Island starting Tuesday.

Residents of flood-prone coastal areas are urged to be on guard as the approaching typhoon coincides with annual spring tides.

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