Downpours to continue flood threat across Taiwan this week
Southern and western Taiwan will endure additional bouts of flooding for much of this week as daily downpours strike the region following deadly flooding in recent days.
A persistent surge of tropical moisture across the island nation will create a dangerous setup for heavy rainfall that can unleash 50 mm (2 inches) of rain or more within an hour.
The areas most at risk for flooding through the middle of week include Taitung County, Pingtung County, Tainan City and Kaohsiung City.
Heavy rain and extremely heavy rain advisories were issued across the Island again through Thursday morning.
Rainfall totaled more than 500 mm (20 inches) in many of these locations since last week and resulted in at least six deaths, according to The Epoch Times.
The heaviest rainfall on Tuesday fell across southern Taitung County, northern Pingtung County and southern Kaohsiung City where some locations reported more than 300 mm (12 inches) of rainfall.
Taitung had another 150mm (6 inches) of rain Tuesday night and Wednesday.
All work and and schools were canceled in Kaohsiung City on Tuesday due to the flooding from torrential rainfall. Some schools and work were also canceled in Pingtung County and Chiayi County, according to Taiwan News.
Any heavy rainfall in addition to the recent extreme, deadly rainfall can quickly result in new flooding or trigger mudslides.
The heavy rainfall may also result in travel disruptions ranging from closed roadways to rail and air traffic delays or cancellations.
Businesses and parents should prepare for additional days of canceled work and school, which can have economical impacts across the region.
More than 6,000 people were evacuated due to the flooding since last week and more than 1,000 remain in shelters.
Anyone living in flood-prone areas should monitor advice from local officials and heed any evacuation orders. Remember, never to drive through a flooded road to avoid a potentially deadly situation.
The flooding was catastrophic for livestock in southern Taiwan, where losses were estimated at 1.4 million chickens, 500,000 ducks, 200,000 geese and 7,000 pigs, according to Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture.
Total losses to agriculture have surpassed 737 million new Taiwan dollars (24 million US dollars).
Conditions may begin to improve late this week as heavy rainfall becomes more isolated; however, additional rainfall can still prolong flooding problems in the hardest-hit locations.
A new tropical threat is developing east of Guam and is expected to track northwestward this week. This track should keep any impacts north of Taiwan next week.
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