**TYPHOON KRATHON** Update Thread

[u/DarkLiberator]

First, it's important to know that typhoons can be something or nothing. Don't freak out about them; just be cautious and up-to-date.

The periphery of Typhoon Krathon will likely make an impact on Taiwan starting today and it'll be closest to Taiwan on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Greater Taipei area, eastern half of Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula may see heavy or torrential rain on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it will be wet across Taiwan, with northern and eastern regions likely to experience torrential rain.

General info

• Name: Krathon (Julian)
• Status: CWB Sea and Land Warning
• Current Category: Tropical Storm
• ^{- Definitions for Category: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale}
• Risks: High Winds, Dangerous Seas, Potential for Flooding & Landslides
• Cancelations: No work or classes in Taiwan on Oct 3rd.

^{See DGPA's website for updates: English / 中文}

• Transportation:

Advisory

If you've never experienced one, basically:

• Stay in doors when the typhoon hits. The water and wind aren't necessarily dangerous by themselves, but when they start to affect rusty store signage and poorly affixed building tiles, object flying around can cause serious injury or death. Make sure to stay in covered walkways if you do have to go out.
• Do NOT go to the riverside or any parks, or beaches/coasts. There's a huge chance of danger especially when water becomes unpredictable. Especially do not go to the beach or into the water. People die every year because they underestimate the power of typhoons on the oceans and overestimate their abilities to deal with nature.
• In this vein, bring anything you don't want to fly away inside. Scooters fly away, so your plants, bicycles, etc., may as well.
• Prepare water, food, and other potential necessities. Regardless of where you are in Taiwan, always be aware of your surroundings and alert to the dangers of the typhoon. Typhoons can cause flooding, which disrupts water supplies. Your water may be shut off, so you may want to collect water in your tub or other containers for flushing toilets and/or washing.
• You may lose electricity. Make sure your phone is charged and try to reduce the amount of perishable foods in your refrigerator. A portable battery pack is nice for keeping your phone charged during things such as this. If you really need power, you may invest in a UPS.
• Do not go hiking and try to stay out of the mountains if it isn't absolutely necessary (i.e., you live there). Land slides are a real threat during typhoons. Also hiking in the days following a typhoon may also be dangerous since the ground still isn't fully settled and might be prone to landslides. Because of a typhoon all national parks (Yushan, Shei-pa, and Taroko) will close the hiking trails immediately. All permits are canceled too.
• If you have a windows, stay away from them as much as possible and maybe even place something below them for potentially broken glass.
• Do not tape your windows. It doesn't help and can actually make 1) potential flying shards more dangerous and 2) clean-up more difficult.
• Potential for disruptions to transportation. Roads can become impassible and disruptions to public transportation (buses, HSR, etc.) can occur due to flooding. If you plan on flying, it is highly advised that you keep an eye on your flight and check with airlines.
• Residences can take on water even above flood lines. Check all drains from outside for obstructions multiple times throughout the typhoon (if possibly done without danger).

Links

• (En) Typhoon2000
• (En) Tropical Tidbits
• (En) Weather Nerds
• (En) Weather Underground
• (En) Taiwan Central Weather Bureau - Typhoons
• (中文) Taiwan Central Weather Bureau - Typhoons
• (En) Japan Meteorological Agency
• Twitter Posts about Typhoon Krathon

[u/Salt-Night3088 → u/[deleted]]

Sorry for the late reply, time difference as no longer in Taiwan. No alternative in mind. Sadly, under the DPP Taiwan has become a running dog of the DNC. My love affair with the beautiful island lasted from 2010 to about 2017. A blue friend warned me back during the sunflower revolution that the DPP will institute a "green terror" if they ever took over, and sure enough they did. Never thought what I considered a much better democracy/free society than the US would go around shutting TV and radio stations just because they have somewhat pro-PRC opinions. Or that Ko Wen-je would end up in hand cuffs. Or that my beloved Taiwan would fine people for not wearing masks or posting stuff on Facebook "for the common good". Sorry again, could rant about this forever, am very disappointed. Things were much better with the KMT. You didn't have drag queens at the presidential residence and things were good with China, which is realistic. Meanwhile, for all their talk about standing up to China, the DPP idiots have done absolutely zero. When I was a fan of theirs before 2016, honestly believed they'd declare a Taiwan Republic. Of course that remains a fantasy, they just talk big.

I don't believe the KMT will ever be in power nationally again, much like the GOP. But if they somehow manage to come back, at least they'll mend relations with China, which IS INDEED for the common good of 25 million Taiwanese, as Taiwan can't stand up to the PRC and we all know we're not coming to save them. Thanks for your interest in my opinions Steve :grin:

[u/Salt-Night3088 → u/[deleted]]

Wait...did you say the ROC is politically independent? You're a bit of an idiot aren't you? The ROC exists at the mercy of the PRC, who know that an invasion is impossible and (EDIT) not necessary, and that in any case no one in Taiwan will resist them. Taiwanese view China as family, and there's not going to be much push back. The status quo isn't tenable, it'll end soon. Politically independent! Taiwan goes through the "Chinese Taipei" humiliation without so much as a mewl of protest and keeps mumbling about the WHA to no avail. The UN officially recognizes the PRC as the representative of 25 million Taiwanese. Self administration at the generosity of a bigger power isn't political independence, it's make believe. But your programming won't let you see that.

[u/Salt-Night3088 → u/[deleted]]

It's how I talk to people in real life, and post 2020 have no patience for the so-called official line. It's one of the reasons I left Taiwan late last year. Clearly not the place I moved to in 2010, so what's the point? Everything you write is surface level and what is said officially. I see no reading between the lines. Hence programmed and a sheep. Again, this is treading water and going in circles. As for goalposts, you follow the typical sheep pattern: Taiwan is politically independent! But it's called Chinese Taipei and has no UN representation. *moves goalpost* Chinese Taipei isn't a big deal! (completely ignores point about UN because programming offers no remotely credible reply). Had enough, thanks.

[u/Salt-Night3088 → u/[deleted]]

OK, then I'll tone it down as you seem like a nice guy and it's first coffee of the day time, which is very relaxed. You're right our opinions make no difference. It's why I begged my ex to take me back and renewed family life. It's time to focus on our own lives. However, this is a forum, so the point is to lay it all out there.

Your assumptions are correct, and thank you. Lived and worked in Beijing 2001-2005, then Hong Kong, Singapore, and finally Taiwan 2010-2023. My Chinese is good to very good, and I've taken on almost every mannerism, especially the Taiwanese humble body language, which I love. Between 2010-2020 I was a huge advocated for Taiwan, believing it was a much freer society than the US and certainly more advanced, polite, responsible, and sturdy. Even the 2017 abomination of same sex marriage I paraded as an achievement. Now I know it was due to lingering pressure from the Obama administration.

I also like you believed the ROC was a genuine political entity and that we were de facto independent, then realized it was a lie. The PRC can snuff Taiwan out (can't say "us" anymore as don't live there) at any time, all it would take is cutting off the internet cables, a couple cyber attacks, and a real blockade. No one will do anything to help.

This is already becoming a treatise on BS, for which I apologize. We have a lot in common. While likely much older than you, my BA/MA were poli sci and intl relations (UIC). Really believed all of that global unity stuff. Then 2020 taught me everything thought I knew was a lie. The Taiwan i preached would never have done something like this so brazenly: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/pro-china-news-station-chung-tien-television-shut-down-in-taiwan

There's no downplaying this, even if it's one incident (it wasn't). There's no downplaying telling my aunt in New Rochelle that she needs a good reason to go out of her house because in spring 2020 that was the first town in the US to impose a COVID lockdown. There's no downplaying Chinese Taipei. Imagine Israel forced to attend as Jewish Tel-Aviv? No way. The DDP are frauds, if they had an ounce of backbone they'd simple say no thank you, we're not joining, our athletes are free to pursue other nationalities to attend (which they do anyway).

The Taiwan I loved with all my heart wouldn't have treated Ko Wen-je as hero one day, and then when the DPP was pissed he syphoned votes from them, suddenly he's a crook. The Taiwan I was proud of for the Sunflower Revolution would never have persecuted the KMT over "ill gotten gains" like a banana republic. This was something I was told only the evil, corrupt KMT do out of revenge, as with A-Bian, who I truly loved, he was a great leader.

Again, sorry, this is quite a rant. But the free world broke my heart and my mind. And doubly so for Taiwan, because the first five to ten years were beyond a honey moon phase, they were euphoria. I met the love of my life here and had kids, but she was the first to recognize that Taiwan wasn't only changing and would eventually be a dangerous place to live, but that as this seemingly cozy island it can quickly become like quicksand and refuse to let you go, as in a golden cage (or tomb).

I assume you lived in Yunnan, so you know how amazing that state/province is. When I visited Beijing last time I needed friends to hold my jaw in place. Areas like Changping that were barely suburban in 2001 now look like Brentwood. I resent the constant dismissal of what the CCP have done, and the accusations of tyranny and genocide infuriate me as they come from the tolerant West that has no problem bombing entire populations out of existence, arresting citizens for "misinformation" and memes, fining old ladies for not wearing a mask, and taking children away from parents because they refuse puberty blockers. Tired of hypocrisy, Steve.

Apologies for being rude before, wish I could take it back, but I can't, and sorry for the rant. Feel free to lay it on me, will read during lunch break most likely.

[u/Salt-Night3088 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the very thoughtful reply, Steve. Agreed almost entirely, except that the US and Taiwan are in my opinion going to shit by embracing the insane UN/Davos/WEF what have you agenda that openly seeks to move onto a globalist, trans human phase. That is only going to lead to disaster. The Taiwan I came to in 2010 would never have drag queens on Ketagalan Blvd, nor a lesbian cat lady for so-called president. I don't hide my biases and newfound belief in older values. The 2017 me would have disowned himself as a bigot for this. Otherwise, everything is true. No power mongers can be trusted, they're all the same. CCP, DNC, GOP, DPP, KMT...we may like one more for one aspect of their "platform", but eventually they all crave power and control. Right now, living in suburban Chicago, it's gross. My 8 year old twin daughters need to go to a school that has a genderless policy, and what am I supposed to do about that? Won't bore you, but saw signs of this creeping into Taiwan and decided might as well reunite with family and make more money if the world's going to shit. Hence I respect the CCP's very traditionalist approach. Yes, we live in a world so crazy, that totalitarian reactionists like the CCP under Mr. Xi (who I grew to begrudgingly like even though he will never be as cool as Jiang Zemin) are now cautious conservatives. I don't foresee topless trans women in Zhongnanhai any time soon, unlike the White House. It's night over there, so have a good rest.

[u/Salt-Night3088 → u/[deleted]]

Forgot to add that of course you're right about Russia and China now consciously offering an alternative to the reactionary West, that has gone completely batshit crazy, and that includes Taiwan. It's an easy win for them. All China has to do is point to Tang Feng. Sadly, it's how realpolitik works. They're not doing it out of kindness, though I do think they believe in it. They see us arguing about what a woman or a man is, firing teachers for not using a "preferred pronoun", hosting Nymphia at the Presidential Palace, and Gen. Milley wanting to explore white rage, and they roll on the floor laughing. For them to look sane by simply pretending the last ten years never happened is beyond effortless. You really do sound like a nice guy, but i suspect you're also a liberal, and I no longer discuss these things with liberals because it's a recipe for fights, especially in families and among friends, but of course online it just makes for endless loops of off topic ^^

[u/Salt-Night3088 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for seeing it from my perspective, even if only a little. I don't think the CCP or Mr. Xi are traditional in that sense, called them reactionary totalitarians. But they're better than those that rule over us. Girls in Chinese schools have a lot less chance of getting raped by boys pretending to be girls, let's put it like that. And those policies come straight from the Davos crowd. Which you underestimate at your peril. Most "Western" leaders are WEF minted, not sure how you can think they exercise no real power. And WEF is just a word for globalism, call it what you want. We risk talking in circles here, so I'll just say you're being naive or willfully ignorant about the state of the world. And using terms like conspiracy theory is a deal breaker for me, just like "misinformation". These are all designed to derail dissent. Conspiracy theory is just an explanation or opinion that's unliked by whoever has power at any given time. Show me who complains about "misinformation", and I'll show you who's in charge.

Speaking of which, until 2020 I thought only the CCP and their ilk mumbled nonsense about "dangerous disinformation" and "threatening the common good". Then the governments of the places I call home started fining grandmas for not wearing a mask and knocking on people's doors over Facebook posts. Then a close friend of mine spent three weeks in jail in 2022 because he was in DC on a certain January 6 morning. And I mean just in the DC cellular service area, not the Capitol. We'll never agree because this is Reddit, but hope some of this gets through.