The combined effect of the monsoon, the outer rim of Typhoon Fengshen and a low-pressure system is expected to bring significant rainfall this week to various parts of the nation, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.
The heaviest rain is expected to occur today and tomorrow, with torrential rain expected in Keelung’s north coast, Yilan and the mountainous regions of Taipei and New Taipei City, the CWA said.
Rivers could rise rapidly, and residents should stay away from riverbanks and avoid going to the mountains or engaging in water activities, it said.
Photo: CNA
Scattered showers are expected today in central and southern Taiwan, with heavy rain possible in mountainous areas, it said.
The CWA forecasts that Hualien could receive 200mm to 350mm of accumulated rainfall today and tomorrow. There are currently two barrier lakes in Hualien County at risk of overflowing.
As of 8am yesterday, Tropical Storm Fengshen’s center was 850km south of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost tip, moving northwest toward the South China Sea at about 22kph, the CWA said.
The storm had a radius of 80km, with maximum sustained winds of 72kph and gusts reaching 101kph. Its center is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan.
The typhoon is expected to weaken and move away by Thursday, with moisture from a low-pressure system to the east affecting Taiwan, CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) said.
Hualien might experience localized heavy rain, while the central and southern mountainous areas could see brief, scattered showers, he said, adding that in the northeast residents on Wednesday should be alert for rainfall reaching or exceeding torrential levels.
Rain is expected to ease on Friday and Saturday, but a new wave of northeast monsoon is expected to arrive on Sunday, he said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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