Multiple regional governments across southern Taiwan have ordered the closure of offices and schools due to severe rainfall from a persistent low-pressure system, with a typhoon forecast to affect the north of the island later in the week.
Several administrative divisions across southern Taiwan implemented closures on Monday as a low-pressure weather system continued to produce torrential rainfall across the region. The cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan, which together house more than four million residents, initiated the shutdowns alongside the counties of Pingtung, Chiayi, Taitung, and Hualien.
The flooding and heavy rain have persisted over several days as the low-pressure system remains positioned over the southern part of the island. According to the Kaohsiung government, the five-day rainfall period is anticipated to accumulate to over 1.3 metres, representing nearly half of the city's typical annual precipitation.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's Central Weather Administration is monitoring Typhoon Saudel, which currently threatens Japan's southern Okinawa region. The typhoon is expected to approach northern Taiwan early on Friday before subsequently moving towards the eastern coast of China. This dual weather threat—the ongoing regional flooding combined with the approaching typhoon—prompted the precautionary measures across the affected areas.
