Tropical depression forms, could become storm within 24 hours: CWA

Taipei, June 10 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Tuesday that a tropical depression had formed over the South China Sea and could strengthen into a tropical storm within 24 hours, but it is not expected to directly affect Taiwan.

The weather agency said the system is likely to become the first tropical storm of the year in the Western North Pacific, and will be named Wutip.

The CWA forecast that the system will move toward China's Hainan Island and Guangdong Province, with no direct impact on Taiwan. However, its outer rain bands may affect the island from Thursday to Saturday, bringing localized heavy rain.

According to CWA data, as of 8 a.m., the center of the tropical depression was located about 940 kilometers southwest of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan southernmost point, moving westward at a speed of 7 kilometers per hour.

Its maximum sustained winds near the center were 54 kph, with gusts reaching 82.8 kph.

The CWA said that from Thursday to Saturday, Taiwan could be affected by the outer cloud bands of the tropical system, with heavy rain possible in southern and southeastern areas, as well as in mountainous regions on Thursday and Friday.

The weather agency forecast that central and southern areas could experience scattered showers or thunderstorms on Saturday, while eastern and southeastern areas may see localized brief showers or thunderstorms.

Other places will be mostly cloudy with scattered afternoon thunderstorms, the CWA said.