Tropical depression to make landfall in eastern Taiwan around 8 p.m.

Taipei, June 12 (CNA) A tropical depression is expected to make landfall in Hualien County at around 8 p.m. Thursday, bringing rain to areas across Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

As of 2 p.m., the storm was located about 80 kilometers east-southeast of Taitung County and moving north-northwest at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour, according to the CWA website.

The system is forecast to either exit Taiwan via the north or move into the Taiwan Strait early Friday morning. However, it could also dissipate over the island as it slows down after making landfall, said CWA forecaster Lin Ting-yi (林定宜).

Brief but intense showers or thunderstorms are expected across Taiwan from Thursday evening through early Saturday due to the combined effects of the tropical depression and southwesterly winds, Lin added.

The CWA issued a heavy rain advisory at 5:10 p.m. for Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung counties, with Hualien and Taitung subject to extremely heavy rain.

According to the CWA, heavy rain refers to precipitation of 80 millimeters in 24 hours or 40 mm in one hour, whereas extremely heavy rain means 200 mm in 24 hours or 100 mm in three hours.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely in southern Taiwan, while central and eastern regions, as well as mountainous areas in the north, may also experience heavy rain, Lin said.

Daytime highs on Friday are forecast to range from 28-31 degrees Celsius, with nighttime lows dipping to around 25-26 degrees.