Typhoon Koinu: China Issues Warning!

Typhoon Koinu, meaning “puppy” in Japanese, is causing worry and chaos as it moves along China’s southern coast. Bringing big waves, heavy rain, and strong winds, it has the cities on high alert.

Here’s a detailed look at the impact of Typhoon Koinu, the preparations in place, and the aftermath.

Listen to the summary

The Oncoming Storm

Warning Issued

China is in a bit of a flutter because a big storm named Typhoon Koinu, which means “puppy” in Japanese, is coming. Imagine a lot of rain, like the kind you see in heavy thunderstorms, and winds so strong they can blow your hat off your head. The waves in the sea are expected to be as high as a three-story building. That’s really high!

People who work in weather offices, like the State Oceanic Administration, are watching the skies and the seas very carefully. They’ve even sent out a special orange alert to warn everyone. It’s not the biggest warning – that’s red – but it’s the next one down, so it means we should all be careful. It’s kind of like when your teacher tells you to be quiet because you’re being too noisy but hasn’t given you a timeout just yet.

Impact in Taiwan

Before it started heading towards China, Typhoon Koinu visited Taiwan, and it wasn’t a friendly visit. It was a bit like a naughty child causing a mess. One person died and nearly 400 people got hurt. Buildings and trees were damaged, like when you accidentally break a toy – but much, much worse.

Orchid Island, a small piece of land off Taiwan’s east coast, was hit hard. Think of it as your playground after a heavy rain, but with more damage. Toys scattered, swings broken, and everything is just a jumble. People there are now trying to clean up and fix everything that the naughty typhoon messed up.

The Approaching Danger

Now, this naughty typhoon is moving slowly towards China’s coast, a bit like a snail crawling along the edge of a pond. But don’t be fooled, even though it’s slow, it can cause a lot of trouble. The weather people, who know a lot about storms and rains, believe Koinu will become a strong tropical storm by Monday.

So, it’s like having a big, messy, playroom that needs to be cleaned up – it might not look dangerous, but you could trip and fall if you’re not careful. That’s why people in China are being told to be ready, to stay safe, and not to go out unless they really have to. Everyone’s looking out for each other, making sure they have what they need to stay safe and dry.

Everyone is getting ready for Typhoon Koinu – making sure they have food, water, and a safe place to stay until the storm passes by.

Immediate Measures

Ferry and Flight Disruptions

Typhoon Koinu is a big storm that’s making waves and winds so powerful; it’s not safe to be outside or travelling. In Guangdong province, a place in China, they’ve stopped the ferries. Imagine ferries like big boats that carry people, cars, and trucks across the water from one place to another. But because of the huge waves caused by Typhoon Koinu, it’s not safe for them to run.

In Guangzhou, that’s a big city in China, they had to cancel lots of flights. Airplanes at the airport stayed on the ground because flying through a typhoon is dangerous. Trains that run on tracks, like the ones you might have seen or traveled on, aren’t leaving the station either. Safety is the most important thing when a typhoon like Koinu is near.

Warnings and Preparations

When a big storm like Typhoon Koinu comes, warnings are given to help people stay safe. The National Meteorological Centre, which is like a big weather station, told everyone to be ready for floods. Floods happen when there’s so much rain that it covers the ground and can go into homes and buildings.

In Shantou, a place in Guangdong province, the people in charge made sure no one went on bridges. It’s because bridges can be dangerous during strong winds and floods. They wanted to keep everyone safe.

People were also filling bags with sand and placing them in front of their doors. Imagine it like a wall to stop the water from getting inside homes. When we know a storm is coming, preparing like this can help keep people and their belongings safe.

Hong Kong’s Alert

Even though Typhoon Koinu is a bit far away from Hong Kong, another big city, the people there are also getting ready. Imagine having a watchman who tells you when danger is coming; that’s what the Hong Kong Observatory does. It’s like a big tower with tools and gadgets that watch the weather.

They told the people in Hong Kong that even though the typhoon is still 370 km away, they need to be ready. That’s further than the distance of running a thousand laps around a track! But storms like Typhoon Koinu move fast, and it’s better to be ready early.

Kids and their families listened to the warnings. They stayed indoors, kept their pets inside, and made sure their windows and doors were shut tight. When the winds blow really hard, it’s safest to be inside where it’s warm and dry.

The Aftermath

Taiwan’s Recovery

After Typhoon Koinu left, Taiwan looked a lot different. Trees that used to stand tall and strong were now lying on the ground. Many buildings were damaged, with windows broken and walls cracked. In Taichung city, a place in Taiwan, an elderly woman was sadly hurt by flying glass and didn’t survive. People are now working together to clean up the mess left by Typhoon Koinu. They are removing fallen trees and fixing the broken buildings, just like how friends help each other tidy up toys after playtime.

Orchid Island’s Struggle

Orchid Island was one of the places hit hardest by Typhoon Koinu. Imagine a playground after a really stormy day, with slides tipped over and swings tangled up – that’s how Orchid Island looked. The roads were broken, making it difficult for cars to pass, like when you can’t ride your bike because the path is blocked. The stores were empty, and there was no water or food available, like the lunchboxes being empty at snack time. People had to collect rainwater to cook and drink – a bit like catching raindrops in a cup.

Aid on the Way

But don’t worry, help is coming to Orchid Island and other affected places. The government is sending boats filled with important supplies, like when a friend shares their crayons and paper. Even though the storm made the sea rough and it’s difficult for boats to reach the island, the helpers are trying their very best. They’re bringing food, water, and other things that people need to get better and fix their homes. It’s like when you fall and scrape your knee, and someone comes with a bandage and a hug. Soon, Orchid Island and other places will start to look familiar again, and the people there will begin to smile.

Every storm, including Typhoon Koinu, eventually passes, and then the sun comes out again. Even though the wind blew hard and the rain poured down, the people are strong and brave. They’ll fix their homes, plant new trees, and take care of each other, like a big family. Even in tough times, they’re learning to smile and hope, like finding a rainbow after a storm.