TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Koinu broke a 126-year record on Wednesday (Oct. 4) evening, shrouding Orchid Island (Lanyu) with gusts reaching 198.7 kilometers per hour, surpassing a level 17 typhoon.
As the typhoon center continued to move closer toward Taiwan by midday, the unprecedented event was recorded at 9:40 p.m. by the Orchid Island Weather Station.
According to the Taitung Weather Station, Taiwan's wind speed measurement began in 1897, with this being the highest ever recorded, damaging the anemometer during the heavy winds.
The latest forecast from the Central Weather Administration (CWA) indicates that downpours will intensify across eastern Taiwan, the Hengchun Peninsula, and the southern mountains due to the typhoon.
Northern Taiwan could experience continuous rain alongside a significant upturn in rainfall over mountainous areas in central Taiwan and lowlands in the south.
The CWA added that the storm range is expected to cover most of Taiwan on Friday, causing localized heavy or torrential rains over the eastern and southern regions.
