Extremely heavy rain warning issued for New Taipei City: Kaohsiung prepares for disaster level rain
Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau issued an extremely heavy rain warning for New Taipei City, parts of Hualien County, and Pingtung County this afternoon, and the Kaohsiung City Government opened the Disaster Response Center in preparation for catastrophic level rain forecast for this weekend.
Some areas of New Taipei City and Taoyuan City experienced sporadic, localized flooding during torrential downpours this afternoon as a band of thunderstorms swept over the area at around 2:00 pm.
Taoyuan City’s Guishan District saw rain accumulate to half-tire height on Wenhua First Road, while water accumulated near A8 Airport MRT Station and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou District, New Taipei City.
In Kaohsiung City, where torrential rain began falling early this morning, Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) ordered the Disaster Response Center to open with a level 3 disaster response warning as the Central Weather Bureau warned of “catastrophic level” rain starting tomorrow, Saturday, July 31, and possibly lasting until Tuesday.
The Central Weather Bureau said that due to the influence of the southwest monsoon and southern offshore convection, torrential level rain is expected to affect southern areas of Taiwan for the next five days.
Mayor Chen said that due to a previous wave of heavy rain, the Water Conservancy Bureau has already completed the maintenance of pumps, clearing of draining channels, and preparation of detention ponds. The Fire Bureau has also prepared equipment for response to potential disasters. District offices in vulnerable areas have prepared sandbags ready for distribution.
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