Regional governments across southern and eastern Taiwan closed schools and offices on Monday following persistent torrential rain and flooding. The closures affected the major cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan, along with the counties of Pingtung, Chiayi, Taitung, and Hualien. Officials cited a low-pressure system that has remained stationary over the southern portion of the island for several days as the cause of the extreme weather.
The Kaohsiung government reported that it expects total rainfall from this weather system to exceed 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) over a five-day period. According to local officials, this amount represents nearly half of the city's typical annual rainfall. The heavy precipitation has already resulted in flooding across the region, though specific damage assessments were not immediately provided.
In addition to the current flooding, Taiwan's Central Weather Administration reported that Typhoon Saudel is expected to impact the region later this week. The typhoon is currently moving toward the southern Okinawa region of Japan. Forecasters anticipate the storm will pass the northern part of Taiwan early Friday before continuing toward the eastern coast of China.
The disruption to daily life for students and workers began on Monday, with the primary immediate change being the closure of public institutions and schools. The Central Weather Administration, the agency responsible for national meteorological monitoring, indicates that these conditions may be followed by further weather-related challenges as Typhoon Saudel approaches. The cumulative effect of the current low-pressure system followed by a typhoon could place additional strain on regional drainage systems and emergency services that are already responding to existing floods.
What happens next depends on the trajectory of Typhoon Saudel and the movement of the current low-pressure system. Residents in northern Taiwan are expected to see the typhoon's effects early on Friday, August 28, according to current forecasts. As the storm moves toward eastern China, regional governments in Taiwan will continue to monitor rainfall levels to determine when it is safe to reopen offices and schools. No specific end date for the current closures was reported.