Taiwan Hit by Mekkhal Storm: Flooded Cars and Homes Amid Extreme Heat

Taiwan’s southern counties of Kaohsiung and Pingtung were hit by severe flooding and landslides on June 27, 2026, as Typhoon Mekkhal made landfall, submerging vehicles, damaging homes, and forcing evacuations, according to local emergency officials and state-run Central Weather Bureau (CWB) reports. The storm, packing sustained winds of up to 150 km/h (93 mph) and gusts exceeding 180 km/h (112 mph), triggered flash floods that overwhelmed drainage systems in urban areas and triggered mudslides in mountainous regions.

The CWB classified Mekkhal as a “catastrophic” typhoon upon landfall, the highest warning level, prompting authorities to issue red alerts for 12 counties. By midday June 27, more than 3,200 households in Kaohsiung alone had lost power, while Pingtung reported at least 17 roads impassable due to debris and rising waters, per Taiwan’s National Fire Agency (NFA). Rescue teams deployed 500 personnel to affected zones, with reports of trapped residents in southern villages still awaiting extraction as of late afternoon.

Mekkhal’s rapid intensification—from a tropical storm to a super typhoon in under 24 hours—caught meteorologists off guard, the CWB’s director, Chen Yi-hsin, told reporters. “The storm’s compact core delivered extreme rainfall in a narrow band, overwhelming our usual warning thresholds,” Chen said. Satellite data confirmed the typhoon dumped 400mm (15.7 inches) of rain in some coastal areas within six hours, nearly double the monthly average for June.

Why is Typhoon Mekkhal so destructive?

Mekkhal’s damage stems from three key factors verified by CWB records and peer-reviewed climate studies cited by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Center (NSTC). First, the typhoon’s small size—its eye measured just 15km (9.3 miles) wide—concentrated wind and rain into a tight, high-impact zone. Second, abnormally warm ocean temperatures in the South China Sea, 2.3°C above the 20-year average, fueled the storm’s rapid strengthening, according to NSTC oceanographer Dr. Lin Wei-cheng. Third, Taiwan’s mountainous terrain exacerbated flooding, with runoff from elevations exceeding 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) overwhelming river basins.

Comparisons with past typhoons show Mekkhal’s rainfall rates exceeded those of Typhoon Morakot (2009), which killed 673 people, by 20%. However, Morakot’s larger size caused wider destruction. “This storm is more like a precision weapon,” said Lin, noting that while Mekkhal’s death toll may be lower, localized devastation could surpass Morakot’s economic impact.

What’s the current impact on infrastructure and evacuations?

As of June 27, 18:00 local time, authorities reported:

• 12,400 people evacuated from high-risk zones, with 8,900 sheltered in public facilities, per Taiwan’s National Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission (NDPPC).
• Kaohsiung International Airport suspended all flights until further notice, stranding 12,000 passengers. The airport’s flood barriers, installed after Typhoon Nari (2021), held but required constant monitoring.
• Pingtung’s coastal towns of Fangliao and Donggang recorded water levels 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) above normal, submerging at least 300 vehicles, according to local police.
• Taiwan’s power utility, Taipower, restored 1,800 of the 3,200 outages in Kaohsiung but warned repairs could take up to 72 hours in some areas.

President Lai Ching-te, who declared a state of emergency, visited disaster zones in Kaohsiung and ordered the deployment of 10,000 additional troops to assist in rescue and recovery. “Our priority is saving lives, then restoring critical infrastructure,” Lai said in a televised address, adding that the government had activated its disaster fund to cover immediate relief costs.

How are neighboring regions responding?

China’s Fujian province, which borders Taiwan’s east coast, also faced heavy rains and gusts up to 130 km/h (81 mph), according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Hong Kong’s Observatory issued a No. 8 (Typhoon) signal, its second-highest warning, as Mekkhal’s outer bands brought squalls to the city. The Philippines, which had tracked the storm earlier, downgraded its warnings as Mekkhal turned northward.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) forecasted Mekkhal would weaken to a tropical storm by June 28 but still bring torrential rain to Okinawa, prompting local governments to prepare for possible landslides. The JMA’s typhoon chief, Sato Hiroshi, warned that while the storm’s peak intensity had passed, “secondary flooding remains a serious risk as the system stalls near the Ryukyu Islands.”

What happens next for Taiwan’s recovery?

The NDPPC projected recovery efforts would focus on three phases, starting immediately:

• Emergency response (June 27–30): Search-and-rescue operations, power restoration, and temporary shelter management. The NDPPC allocated NT$500 million (US$16.5 million) for immediate relief.
• Infrastructure assessment (July 1–7): Inspections of dams, roads, and electrical grids, with priority given to Kaohsiung’s port and airport. The NDPPC will collaborate with Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for technical support.
• Long-term rebuilding (July onward): A national reconstruction fund, modeled after post-Morakot programs, will be proposed to parliament. Experts from Taiwan’s Central Geological Survey will assess landslide-prone zones for preventive measures.

Dr. Huang Wei-chen, a disaster risk specialist at National Cheng Kung University, cautioned that “the true cost of Mekkhal won’t be clear for weeks, but the economic disruption could rival Typhoon Soudelor (2015), which cost Taiwan US$1.5 billion.” Huang noted that while modern warning systems had reduced fatalities, “the concentration of wealth in coastal cities like Kaohsiung means property damage will be severe.”

For residents in affected areas, the NDPPC urged monitoring official alerts via the NDPPC website or the CWB mobile app. Those requiring assistance can contact the National Disaster Hotline at 1922 for English-speaking operators.