Offices, schools closed in southern Taiwan due to torrential rain

Southern Taiwan experienced significant disruptions on August 24 as regional governments closed offices and schools in response to torrential rainfall. The closures affected major population centers, including Kaohsiung and Tainan, as well as Pingtung, Chiayi, Taitung, and Hualien counties.

The heavy downpours are attributed to a low-pressure system that has lingered over southern Taiwan for several days, leading to widespread flooding. The Kaohsiung government projected that cumulative rainfall over the five-day period could exceed 1.3 meters, a figure close to half of the city's annual average precipitation.

Meanwhile, the island is bracing for potential impacts from Typhoon Saudel. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration indicated that the typhoon, currently tracking towards Japan's southern Okinawa region, is forecast to skirt the northern part of Taiwan in the early hours of August 28. It is then expected to make landfall on China's eastern coast.

While the immediate concern is the ongoing flooding from the low-pressure system, the approaching typhoon adds another layer of weather-related challenges for the region. Authorities are monitoring both situations closely to ensure public safety and manage potential impacts.