KAOHSIUNG, Oct 3 — Taiwan girded itself for the arrival of a weakening Typhoon Krathon today, which has killed two people so far, as the island shut down for a second day with hundreds of flights grounded and financial markets closed.

KAOHSIUNG, Oct 1 — Taiwan mobilised nearly 40,000 troops today to be on standby for rescue efforts as powerful Typhoon Krathon approached its populous southwest coast, which is bracing for a storm surge.