Typhoon Kong-rey makes landfall in Taiwan, causing widespread disruptions

Typhoon Kong-rey has made landfall on Taiwan's east coast, marking the largest storm to hit the island in nearly 30 years. The typhoon has closed financial markets, canceled hundreds of flights, and disrupted rail services. The storm has caused power outages for nearly half a million households and resulted in one reported death. Strong winds and heavy rain have affected almost all of Taiwan, with some areas experiencing gusts over 250 km/h. The government has put 36,000 troops on standby for rescue efforts and evacuated nearly 10,000 people from high-risk areas. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co has activated its typhoon alert procedures but does not expect significant operational impacts.