Typhoon Krathon, known in the Philippines asSuper Typhoon Julian, was a powerful and erratictyphoon which impactedTaiwan and thePhilippines in late September and early October 2024. Krathon, whose name refers to thesantol fruit, was the first storm to makelandfall on Taiwan's densely populated western plains sinceTyphoon Thelma in 1977. It was also the first storm to hitKaohsiung in October and the first sinceTropical Storm Trami in 2001 to weaken into a tropical depression over Taiwan. Additionally, it was the wettest tropical cyclone inBasco, Batanes, bringing more than two months' worth of rainfall for September and surpassing the previous record set byTyphoon Ruth in 1991 and the strongest typhoon to hit the province sinceTyphoon Chanthu in 2021.
The eighteenthnamed storm, the secondviolent typhoon of the season, and the secondsuper typhoon of theannual typhoon season, Krathondeveloped into a tropical depression nearKadena Air Base,Japan, on September 26, and was classified as a tropical storm by theJapan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on September 28 as it moved southwestward along the southeastern periphery. Krathon reached minimal typhoon status on September 29 after developing a broad,ragged eye. The typhoon moved north-northwestward between two subtropical highs before shifting west-northwestward and passing nearSabtang,Batanes. Early on October 1, the JMA reported that the storm had reached its peak intensity, with ten-minutesustained winds of195 km/h (120 mph) and acentral pressure of 920 hPa (27.17 inHg). It subsequently peaked as a Category 4-equivalent super typhoon on theSaffir-Simpson scale, with one-minute sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph). As Krathon moved into the northernSouth China Sea, aneyewall replacement cycle began, which was evident inradar imagery, with the secondary eyewall nearly encircling the inner eye. Once the eyewall replacement cycle was complete, Krathon began warming cloud tops and displayed a weakened cloud-filled eye feature that caused upwelling and a decrease inocean heat content. On October 3, Krathon made landfall nearSiaogang District in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, with its spiral bands of deep convection gradually weakening as it moved north-northeastward into central Taiwan, near the western edge of theCentral Mountain Range. After making landfall, the system rapidly slowed down and deteriorated, exhibiting minimal convective activity. The JMA continued to monitor the system as it emerged over the South China Sea before dissipating on the same day.
Ahead of the storm, aTropical Cyclone Wind Signal was issued for various areas in the Philippines, with a red alert forCalayan andSanta Ana inCagayan. Krathon resulted in at least five deaths, three people missing, and eight injured in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Taiwan'sCentral Weather Administration issued maritime warnings for theBashi Channel, leading to the evacuation of more than 11,000 people and the mobilization of nearly 40,000 soldiers for rescue efforts; at least 13 people were killed across the island, including nine from the Antai Tian-Sheng Memorial Hospital fire inPingtung County. Overall, 18 people were killed, 731 were injured and one was missing by Krathon, leaving at least US$48.1 million in damages.
Krathon off the northeastern coast of Luzon on September 30
At 09:00UTC, the JTWC upgraded the tropical depression, designating the system as20W, noting an obscured low-level circulation centre that was assumed to be in the centre of rotating bands of convection organising into vorticalhot towers.[7] Satellite imagery indicated that the storm was steadily consolidating, with spiral bands of deep convection extending across three quadrants of the system and encircling the low-level circulation centre.[8] On September 28, the depression intensified into a tropical storm namedKrathon by the JMA, fueled by low vertical wind shear, warm sea surface temperatures, and highocean heat content, while moving southwestward along the southeastern periphery of a mid-levelsubtropical high;[9] however, Krathon slowed down over the last six hours and was located within acol region between two deep-layer subtropical highs,[10] with satellite imagery indicating an improving appearance due to the development of acentral dense overcast feature over the circulation centre.[11]
CWAradar imagery of Krathon tracking over theBalintang Channel (passing close to Sabtang, Batanes) before eventually making landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan
At around 18:00 UTC, the JMA upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm, utilizing theDvorak technique to assess its intensity based on satellite imagery.[12] Krathon displayed strong equatorward outflow alongside a weaker polar channel, while the observedcirrus cloud suggested that a more radial outflow was beginning to develop as the system intensified.[13] Early the next day, both the JMA and the JTWC upgraded it to a minimal typhoon after it had opened a broad,raggedly-defined eye,[14][15] which had since become cloud-filled, and the system was moving north-northwestward between two mid-level subtropical highs.[16] On September 30, Krathon's eye, measuring 23 miles (37 km) in diameter, was visible on infrared satellite imagery,[17] surrounded by warm temperatures of 12–14 °C (54–57 °F),[18] as the storm gradually moved west-northwestward and passed nearSabtang,Batanes.[19] The typhoon displayed a distinct circular shape in the cloud tops across the eyewall region, with a contracting eye that was obscured in the center.[20] At 18:00 UTC, the JTWC reported that the system had peaked as a Category 4-equivalentsuper typhoon after Krathon attained 1-minutesustained winds of250 km/h (155 mph).[21][22] Early on October 1, the JMA upgraded Krathon to aviolent typhoon, estimating its peak intensity with a minimum centralpressure of 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) and 10-minute maximum sustained winds of195 km/h (120 mph).[23]
As it moved into the northern area of theSouth China Sea,[24] the cloud top temperatures of Krathon sharply decreased over the past six hours amid warm conditions.[25] Aneyewall replacement cycle became apparent inradar imagery, with the secondary eyewall almost completely encircling the inner eye.[26] Once the eyewall replacement cycle was complete, Krathon began warming cloud tops and displayed a weakened cloud-filled eye feature that caused upwelling and a decrease in ocean heat content,[27] and it was moving southwest of Taiwan, located between a subtropical ridge to the east and another ridge oversouthern China andnorthern Vietnam.[28] The following day, satellite imagery revealed that the system remained symmetrical; however, warming cloud tops became exposed due to increasing vertical wind shear.[29] On October 3 at 12:40 p.m. local time, Krathon madelandfall nearSiaogang District inKaohsiung, Taiwan,[30] with its spiral bands of deep convection gradually weakening as it moved north-northeastward into central Taiwan, near the western edge of theCentral Mountain Range.[31] This made Krathon the first storm to make landfall on Taiwan's densely populated western plains sinceTyphoon Thelma in 1977.[32][33] After making landfall, the system rapidly slowed down and deteriorated, exhibiting minimal convective activity and ultimately weakening to a minimal tropical storm.[34] The JTWC discontinued warnings on the system as it moved inland, where the rugged southeastern mountain ranges of Taiwan eroded much of the deep convection associated with the circulation center as it weakened to a tropical depression.[35] TheCentral Weather Administration noted that Krathon was the first storm to hit Kaohsiung in October,[36] and the first sinceTropical Storm Trami in 2001 to weaken into a tropical depression over Taiwan.[37] The JMA continued to monitor the system as it emerged into the South China Sea,[38] where it remained nearly stationary between two mid-level subtropical highs before dissipating on the same day.[39]
PresidentLai Ching-te inspected the Central Disaster Response Center and held a video conference with Pingtung County MayorChou Chun-mi
TheCentral Emergency Operation Center advised against traveling to coastal and mountainous areas, while several schools, beaches, national parks and ferry services were closed across the island. All 25 water retention basins inKaohsiung were emptied in anticipation of the storm.[50][51] Warnings on shipping were raised by theCentral Weather Administration in theBashi Channel and theTaiwan Strait,[52] followed by a land warning for Typhoon Krathon as the storm approached Taiwan.[53] All schools and government offices in the island were ordered closed on October 2[54] and 3,[55] while all domestic[56] and at least 250 international flights were cancelled.[57] Around 11,362 people were evacuated,[58] while nearly 40,000 soldiers were mobilized for rescue efforts.[59] Kaohsiung officials urged residents to be vigilant regarding the storm, recalling the devastation caused byTyphoon Thelma in 1977, which severely impacted the city.[60]
TheBell Boeing V-22 Osprey from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit landed at Basco Airport on October 8
Between September 30 and October 1, the PAGASA station inBasco, Batanes recorded 727.8 mm (28.7 inches) of rain, exceeding two months' worth for September and breaking the previous record for the wettest cyclone in the area, which was 616.4 mm (24.3 inches) duringTyphoon Ruth (Trining) in 1991. Rain totals in the country were 481.6 mm (19.0 inches) inLaoag, 201.5 mm (7.9 inches) in Calayan, Cagayan, and 120 mm (4.7 inches) inBaguio.[61] At least 26 families were displaced by floods in Abra.[62] Landslides also blocked roads in La Union, Abra, Apayao[63] and Mountain Province.[64] Five airports suspended operations in northern Luzon. Two light aircraft parked atBasco Airport were damaged by strong winds, whileLaoag International Airport sustained minor damage. Flooding also affected the runways ofLingayen andVigan Airports. Operations were also suspended atSan Fernando andBaguio Airports due to clouds and low visibility.[65][66] Seven seaports also suspended operations, while 99 sections of road and three bridges were rendered impassable.[67] Batanes governorMarilou Cayco said that it could take two months for the province to recover from the storm.[68]
Krathon passed directly near Sabtang in Batanes on September 30
ThePhilippine Charity Sweepstakes Office distributed 3,000 food packs to Ilocos Norte residents impacted by Typhoon Krathon.[69] The United States government, through theUS Marines,[70] provided emergency aid and air transport support in response to the devastation caused by Krathon, particularly in Batanes.[71] The United States has deployed personnel and aircraft to the Philippines to aid relief efforts in Batanes following Typhoon Krathon, with twoLockheed Martin KC-130 aircraft from theIII Marine Expeditionary Force transporting personnel and equipment toVillamor Air Base inPasay.[72] The United States government, throughUSAID, allocated ₱28 million (US$568,527.92) to aid those affected by Krathon in Batanes,[73] while theDepartment of Defense deployed military assets to assist theArmed Forces of the Philippines and theOffice of Civil Defense in delivering humanitarian supplies to the area.[74] ThePhilippine Air Force mobilized itsPZL W-3 Sokół helicopter to provide emergency supplies and personnel as part of the government's continued relief efforts for the typhoon-affected areas in Batanes.[75] Meanwhile, theUSS Boxer (LHD-4) and its15th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Philippines to support relief efforts following Typhoon Krathon.[76] On October 4, PresidentBongbong Marcos inspected affected areas in Batanes and Ilocos Norte.[77] 58 areas have been declared in astate of calamity,[49] including Ilocos Norte, Batanes, and Cagayan,[78] due to the severe impact of the storm.[79][80]
As of October 18, 2024[update], theNational Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that a total of 380,778 people were affected,[81] with 11 displaced from their homes. Power outages occurred in 20 cities, water outages were reported in three, and telecommunications outages were reported in eight municipalities. A total of 2,843 houses were damaged, while 127 others were destroyed.[82] Five people were killed, twelve were injured, and one was missing.[49] In Batanes, 276 houses were destroyed, while 2,048 others were damaged.[83] Total damages to infrastructure reached ₱965.18 million (US$19.6 million),[49] while agricultural damages amounted to ₱607.38 million (US$12.33 million)[81] affecting 17,344.94 hectares (42,860.3 acres) of crops,[84] resulting in overall damages of ₱1.57 billion (US$31.93 million). The government gave out relief aid worth ₱21.59 million (US$438,340.61)[67] and dispatched aC-130 transport aircraft to deliver aid and evacuate some 200 people stranded in Batanes.[85][68]
The outer rain bands of Krathon triggered mudslides that blocked parts of theSuhua Highway inHualien County on September 30.[95] A temple was damaged in a mudslide inRueifang,New Taipei City.[96] At least 12 garbage collection vehicles were damaged in a landslide at the Tianwaitian waste recycling incineration plant inKeelung.[97] TheJu Ming Museum inJinshan District, New Taipei was flooded, stranding its staff.[98] InPingtung County, one of the blocks of a hospital caught fire, killing nine people.[99] One person died in Hualien County from a fall while trimming trees[100] while another died inTaitung County after his vehicle crashed into fallen rocks.[101] At least 719 people were injured throughout the island,[102] while two persons went missing in New Taipei City and were later found dead.[103] At least 9,499 disaster-related incidents were reported across the island.[104]
A convenience shop was severely damaged during Typhoon Krathon
A total of 436,634 households lost electricity[105] while 404,673 households lost access to water.[106] The cargo shipBlue Lagoon sprang a leak in the engine room and was abandoned. Its 19 crew were rescued byTaiwan Coast Guard helicopters around 18 miles (29 km) southwest ofOrchid Island, after which the vessel drifted ashore on the island.[107][108] Damages to agriculture reached NT$498.6 million (US$16.2 million)[109] with Kaohsiung and Pingtung County being the most affected.[105] The government pledged subsidies and loans to affected businesses.[110] Typhoons typically strike the east coast, but Krathon was unusual as it hit the west coast, prompting Taiwan's media to describe it as a "weird" storm.[111] At least 124 incidents of flooding were reported across Taiwan, primarily affectingKaohsiung and Keelung,[112] prompting the deployment of approximately 1,500 soldiers in Kaohsiung and neighboring Pingtung to assist with typhoon relief efforts.[113] Keelung's single-day rainfall reached 408 mm (16.1 inches), breaking the previous record of 351.3 mm (13.8 inches), set on September 23, 1980. Record-breaking rainfall totals were also observed, with 1,713.5 mm (67.5 inches) on Lijialin Road inTaitung, 1,570 mm (61.8 inches) onDahanshan in Pingtung, and 1,067.5 mm (42.0 inches) inRuifang,New Taipei City.[114]
On February 20, 2025, PAGASA retired the nameJulian from its rotating naming list due to causing over ₱1 billion pesos in damages despite not making landfall. It will never be used again as a typhoon name within the Philippine Area of Responsibility and will be replaced withJosefa for the 2028 season.[115]
At its 57th Session in February 2025, the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee announced that the nameKrathon, along with eight others, would be retired from the naming lists for the Western Pacific despite being used for the first time.[116][117]
^Warning and Summary 260600 (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. September 26, 2024. Archived fromthe original on September 26, 2024. RetrievedSeptember 26, 2024.
^Warning and Summary 041200 (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. October 4, 2024. Archived fromthe original on October 4, 2024. RetrievedOctober 4, 2024.
^"113山陀兒颱風".水利災害應變學習中心 (in Chinese). 經濟部水利署. RetrievedApril 18, 2025.
^Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (1988).Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1987(PDF) (Report). United States Navy, United States Air Force. RetrievedJuly 1, 2014.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
Media related toTyphoon Krathon at Wikimedia Commons
