The Weather Forecasting Center of the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) reported yesterday that this year's monsoon is expected to bring "normal" levels of rainfall, but whether this will end Taiwan's drought will depend on factors other than mere precipitation.
"This may succeed to some extent in relieving the current drought. We cannot say whether it will end the drought," CWB official Lin Shiou-wen (林秀雯) told the Taipei Times. Lin said that besides the amount of rainfall, factors such as where the rain falls, the way in which water is distributed, and water conservation measures are all crucial determinants as to whether the drought will end.
The deputy director of the Weather Forecasting Center, Daniel Wu (
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Wu said that although Taiwan has experienced low levels of rainfall between January and April due to global warming and the ongoing influence of a high-pressure system from the Pacific Ocean -- a regular feature, but one whose influence has been particularly strong this year -- the monsoon would arrive on time in mid-May, bringing rain to Taiwan.
"The high-pressure system from the Pacific Ocean has blocked the fronts that usually bring rainfall to the island since early this year. With the high-pressure system's withdrawal from mid-May, rainfall is to be expected," Wu said.
The monsoon affects Taiwan every year from early May to the end of June. Heavy rains brought by the monsoon front are an important water source for the nation. According to the CWB, in central and southern Taiwan, rainfall brought by the monsoon constitutes some 35 percent of annual precipitation.
Wu stressed, however, that since Taiwan has had too little rainfall since January and the rainfall in the coming monsoon is only expected to reach the lower end of the normal range, water rationing may have to continue and residents should still conserve water.
Wu said that the lack of rainfall this year was not the result of El Nino, a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific, caused by a rise in water temperature. He said that there has been no major change in such water temperature.
"Even though some experts have said that El Nino might have an influence this year, I believe this will probably happen in autumn or winter and the influence will be mild," Wu said.
SLOW-MOVING STORM: The typhoon has started moving north, but at a very slow pace, adding uncertainty to the extent of its impact on the nation Work and classes have been canceled across the nation today because of Typhoon Krathon, with residents in the south advised to brace for winds that could reach force 17 on the Beaufort scale as the Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecast that the storm would make landfall there. Force 17 wind with speeds of 56.1 to 61.2 meters per second, the highest number on the Beaufort scale, rarely occur and could cause serious damage. Krathon could be the second typhoon to land in southwestern Taiwan, following typhoon Elsie in 1996, CWA records showed. As of 8pm yesterday, the typhoon’s center was 180km
STILL DANGEROUS: The typhoon was expected to weaken, but it would still maintain its structure, with high winds and heavy rain, the weather agency said One person had died amid heavy winds and rain brought by Typhoon Krathon, while 70 were injured and two people were unaccounted for, the Central Emergency Operation Center said yesterday, while work and classes have been canceled nationwide today for the second day. The Hualien County Fire Department said that a man in his 70s had fallen to his death at about 11am on Tuesday while trimming a tree at his home in Shoufeng Township (壽豐). Meanwhile, the Yunlin County Fire Department received a report of a person falling into the sea at about 1pm on Tuesday, but had to suspend search-and-rescue
RULES BROKEN: The MAC warned Chinese not to say anything that would be harmful to the autonomous status of Taiwan or undermine its sovereignty A Chinese couple accused of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong residents has been deported, the National Immigration Agency said in a statement yesterday afternoon. A Chinese man, surnamed Yao (姚), and his wife were escorted by immigration officials to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where they boarded a flight to China before noon yesterday, the agency said. The agency said that it had annulled the couple’s entry permits, citing alleged contraventions of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into the Taiwan Area (大陸地區人民進入台灣地區許可辦法). The couple applied to visit a family member in
CELEBRATION: The PRC turned 75 on Oct. 1, but the Republic of China is older. The PRC could never be the homeland of the people of the ROC, Lai said The People’s Republic of China (PRC) could not be the “motherland” of the people of the Republic of China (ROC), President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks in a speech at a Double Ten National Day gala in Taipei, which is part of National Day celebrations that are to culminate in a fireworks display in Yunlin County on Thursday night next week. Lai wished the country a happy birthday and called on attendees to enjoy the performances and activities while keeping in mind that the ROC is a sovereign and independent nation. He appealed for everyone to always love their
RSS