Concerns over an impeding drought threatening northern Taiwan could be lifted today by heavy rains brought by Typhoon Vamco, the Central Weather Bureau said.
The bureau yesterday issued land and sea warnings as Typhoon Vamco headed for Taiwan.
Forecasters said the typhoon was continuing to gain strength and was moving at 26km per hour.
Officials at the bureau said that residents in northern and eastern Taiwan should take precautions against strong breezes and torrential rain.
Officials said that some offshore islands, including Matsu, would be affected by heavy rain too.
Fishermen working in the Pashi Channel and in the northern Taiwan Strait should be alert to violent waves and storms, officials said.
Taipei City Government yesterday tested pumping stations in order to handle possible floods.
When Typhoon Nari hit Taipei in September 2001, malfunctioning pumps resulted in the shutdown of the city's MRT.
Daniel Wu (吳德榮), deputy director of the bureau's weather forecast center, said yesterday that the typhoon's impact could last for one or two days.
"We estimate the typhoon will bring up to 300mm rainfall to mountainous areas in northern Taiwan, significantly lifting water levels at reservoirs," Wu said.
Wu said it was still not certain whether Typhoon Vamco will relieve drought worries.
Water Resources Agency director Chen Shen-hsien (陳伸賢) said yesterday that stricter water conservation measures would not be imposed in the middle of next month because Vamco might bring abundant rainfalls.
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