Tropical Storm Danas likely to form Saturday, could approach Taiwan

Taipei, July 4 (CNA) A tropical depression near the northwestern Philippines is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Danas by early Saturday, becoming the fourth tropical storm of the season, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

As of 8 a.m. Friday, the system was located approximately 370 kilometers southwest of Taiwan's southern tip, Cape Eluanbi, and has developed a more organized structure, forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said.

The storm is currently moving slowly toward the Taiwan Strait in an east-northeast direction and may trigger a sea warning if it reaches tropical storm strength on Saturday morning.

The system is expected to shift direction later Saturday toward the north or northeast, and is expected to pass closest to Taiwan between Sunday and Monday morning, with a high likelihood of passing over the Taiwan Strait.

Heavy rainfall is anticipated on Sunday, especially in southern and southeastern mountainous areas, while other regions may experience localized downpours.

Lee cautioned, however, that the system's path remains uncertain and should be closely watched.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) also warned Friday that the storm's most severe impact is expected between Sunday and early Monday, and he stressed that "the threat to Taiwan should not be underestimated."