Because of strong subtropical barometric pressure in the west Pacific this year, two to four typhoons are expected to hit Taiwan this summer, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said.
"Since subtropical high barometric pressure in the west Pacific this summer tends to grow stronger, there will be fewer typhoons reaching Taiwan than in past years, which have had an average number of three to four," said Daniel Wu (吳德榮), the chief CWB meteorologist, in a press conference yesterday.
`A relief'
When asked if the nation will suffer drought with fewer typhoons this summer, Wu said: "On the contrary, it's a kind of relief."
Almost every reservoir around Taiwan is filled to capacity due to the heavy plum rains last month and this month, Wu said.
"If there are as many typhoons as there were previously, we will have to open the sluices, and it is kind of a waste of water resources."
The plum rain season from May to June and summer are the main source of precipitation in Taiwan, especially typhoons or occasional thundershowers in the afternoon.
Preparation
Prevention and conservation is a must because, on average, the damage caused by typhoons costs more than NT$13.2 billions every year, according to the CWB's statistics.
The CWB urges the public and related organizations to carry out some basic but necessary work for the coming typhoon season.
For example, dredging ditches and aqueducts, overhauling bridges and buildings, repairing structures, storing some emergency food, keeping flashlights handy, and stocking up on batteries and a radio, are all priorities, the CWB said.
People who live in low-lying areas must move to higher ground to keep away from floods, while those who live on mountainsides must watch out for landslides after heavy rains and be ready to evacuate at anytime.
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
STAY COOL: The HPA recommended that people stay hydrated, use air-conditioning or fans while indoors, wear loose-fitting clothes and walk in the shade while outdoors Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday. Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said. Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said. Under the Ministry of
ISOLATION: The outposts would serve as support and backup bases, forcing US forces to either face China head-on or reroute, increasing travel time and operational costs China’s outposts in the South China Sea could be used to delay and constrain foreign forces during a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, giving Beijing a critical window to carry out amphibious landing and blockade operations, a report said. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) forward operating bases on islands and reclaimed features in the South China Sea could delay foreign forces long enough for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to secure a key 48-to-72-hour window in the Taiwan Strait, a report commissioned by the Mainland Affairs Council found. The report, conducted by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, examined
RSS