Typhoon Gaemi Forces Taiwan to Curtail Han Kuang War Games

Typhoon Gaemi, the first typhoon of the season, is expected to hit Taiwan, causing the cancellation of key military drills. It will bring strong winds and heavy rain as it makes landfall, impacting military preparations on the east coast and likely moving towards the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian afterwards.

Taiwan curtailed its annual Han Kuang war games on Tuesday as Typhoon Gaemi barrelled towards the island, expected to deliver strong winds and torrential rain. Gaemi, noted as the first typhoon of the season, is set to make landfall on the northeast coast between Wednesday night and early Thursday, as per the Central Weather Administration.

Classified as a medium strength typhoon by Taiwan, Gaemi is forecasted to move across the Taiwan Strait, subsequently hitting the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian by Friday. The Taiwanese defence ministry, citing significant impacts on the east coast, cancelled several military drills, including fighter jet exercises.

“The impact from the typhoon at present on the east coast is rather obvious,” ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang stated at the Hualien air base. Adjustments will be made to air and naval operations as necessary. Despite not making landfall in the Philippines, Gaemi did bring heavy rain to the region.

Typhoons, while potentially devastating, play a crucial role in replenishing Taiwan's reservoirs, particularly after the drier winter months, benefiting the southern regions of the island.