Restoring Taiwan: China deals with aftermath of Typhoon Kong-rey's trail of destruction

Taiwan experienced severe damage as Typhoon Kong-rey, one of the most powerful storms in decades, struck with winds of 184 km/h. Two fatalities were reported, with widespread injuries and destruction. (Photo: Reuters)

Kong-rey’s size (320 km radius) made it the largest typhoon Taiwan has seen in nearly 30 years, unusual for this time of year. The storm is compared in intensity to Typhoon Gaemi from eight years ago. (Photo: Reuters)

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The typhoon claimed two lives in Taiwan—a man in Taipei who was struck by a utility pole toppled by a tree that had pulled down nearby power lines, and a Thai woman who was in a small truck hit by a falling tree. (Photo: AP)

Heavy rains led to mudslides and flooding, particularly along Taiwan’s east coast. Thousands of homes lost power and water, schools were damaged, and numerous flights, ferry services, and some train lines were canceled. Roofs of houses were also blown away amid the typhoon. (Photo: AP)

Emergency response teams consisting of over 4,000 personnel were deployed across multiple provinces in southern China to assist with potential rescue operations, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, the official state media outlet.

In the Typhoon's aftermath, the rescuers have been searching for four missing hunters in central Taiwan, while two Czech hikers were safely rescued.(Photo: AP)

Workers cleared debris and fallen trees across Taiwan. Australian firefighters on a charity visit assisted in the southern city of Kaohsiung. (Photo: AP)

Kong-rey weakened to a severe tropical storm as it moved across the Taiwan Strait towards China on Friday, according to the Central Weather Administration. In Taiwan, life began to return to normal, with offices, restaurants, and schools reopening. However, around 78,500 households remained without power, and 191 domestic and international flights were cancelled. (Photo: AP)

The storm’s strength and timing fuel discussions on climate change, with scientists warning that warmer global temperatures are intensifying tropical storms, increasing rainfall, and worsening storm-related damage. (Photo: Reuters)