Taiwan warnes Typhoon Kong-rey 'rapidly' intensifying

Torrential downpours, strong wind gust expected

Residents urged to be on alert, stay indoors

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau (CWB) has issued a land warning for Typhoon Kong-rey, as the system is expected to bring torrential downpours and strong wind gusts to the island. Kong-rey is the 17th named storm of the 2023 Pacific typhoon season. It is currently located about 630 kilometers (390 miles) southeast of Taipei and is moving northwest at a speed of 15 kilometers (9 miles) per hour.

The CWB said that Kong-rey is expected to intensify rapidly over the next 24 hours and could reach the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Taiwan on Saturday. The bureau has warned of heavy rain, strong winds, and possible flooding in central and southern Taiwan.

The CWB has urged residents to be on alert and to stay indoors if possible. Schools and businesses in the affected areas have been advised to close.