Taipei: Torrential rain has forced schools and offices to close across southern Taiwan as a persistent low-pressure system brought flooding and disrupted transport services.
The system has remained over southern parts of the island for several days. Heavy rain has affected communities across the region and authorities are also preparing for a typhoon expected to approach northern Taiwan later in the week.
Local governments in Kaohsiung and Tainan ordered schools and offices to close. The 2 cities are home to more than 4 million people. Closures also extended to Pingtung and Chiayi counties as well as the mountainous eastern counties of Taitung and Hualien.
Flooding has developed in some areas after days of intense rainfall. Authorities continue monitoring weather conditions as the low-pressure system remains active and further heavy rain is expected across affected regions. The Kaohsiung City Government stated that cumulative rainfall during the 5-day period could exceed 1.3 metres.
Taiwan Railway reported disruptions on the main east coast line. Train services between Kaohsiung and Taitung have also been affected by the severe weather. Express train services were cancelled on some routes. Local services will operate depending on weather conditions, with passengers facing possible further changes as rainfall continues.
Taitung County chief April Yao urged residents to remain indoors unless necessary. Yao advised people with no urgent reason to travel to avoid going outside as heavy rain continued to affect the area.
Attention is also turning towards northern Taiwan, where officials are preparing for a typhoon expected to affect the island later this week. The combination of ongoing torrential rain in the south and the approaching weather system increases pressure on emergency and transport authorities.
Weather officials and local governments continue to assess conditions as southern Taiwan deals with the effects of sustained rainfall and flooding. Further heavy rain is expected to keep pressure on affected communities and transport services.
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