Transport services suspend operations amid tropical storm

Taipei, July 4 (CNA) The Alishan Forest Railway and ferry operators serving Taitung County's Green and Orchid islands said Friday they will suspend operations in the coming days as a tropical depression is expected to strengthen into a storm.

A tropical depression near the northwestern Philippines is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Danas as early as Friday night, becoming the fourth tropical storm of the season, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

The system, currently located 350 kilometers southwest of Hengchun in Pingtung County, is moving slowly in a west-northwest direction. It is expected to turn northeast on Saturday and head toward the Taiwan Strait, according to CWA forecaster Liu Yu-chi (劉宇其).

If the tropical depression strengthens into a storm by Friday night, the CWA may issue a sea warning on Saturday morning, Liu said.

Based on the current projected path, the storm is expected to have a significant impact on southeastern and southern Taiwan, as well as the Penghu Islands, he added.

Ferry operators in Taitung have announced all trips to Green and Orchid islands will be suspended Sunday.

The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office said it will suspend operations from Saturday to Tuesday, with reopening dates to be announced based on the storm's impact.

Ticket holders can get a full refund within one year of their scheduled ride, either through the office or at all Ibon kiosks in 7-Eleven stores across Taiwan, the office said.

Alishan's Hinoki Village, forest and culture park, and several national parks in Hualien and Taitung will close until further notice, officials said.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Hualien branch announced that the Chihnan and Fuyuan national forest recreation areas, Lintian Mountain Forestry Park, Danongdafu Forest Park and the Ruisui Ecocenter will close starting 8 a.m. Sunday until further notice.

All national nature trails under the branch's jurisdiction will also be closed during this period, officials said.

Meanwhile, the agency's Taitung branch said Chiaming Lake and Dawu Ocean View nature trails, along with Jhihben National Forest Recreation Area, will close preventively starting 8 a.m. Sunday.

The branch added that cabin areas at Chiaming Lake and Xiangyang Mountain will close earlier, starting Saturday afternoon.