Typhoon Fung-Wong to bring heavy rain to Taiwan next week: CWA

Taipei, Nov. 9 (CNA) Typhoon Fung-Wong is expected to impact Taiwan early next week, with the Central Weather Administration (CWA) warning on Sunday of heavy rainfall and strong winds, particularly in northern and eastern regions.

Currently located about 1,070 km southeast of Eluanbi, Fung-Wong is moving west-northwest at 28-32 kph. The typhoon has a radius of 250 km, with maximum sustained winds of 173 kph and gusts reaching 209 kph, according to CWA data.

The storm is forecast to pass near Luzon in the Philippines before entering the South China Sea and potentially turning northward toward Taiwan, the CWA said.

Northern and eastern areas may experience localized torrential rain early next week. At the same time, central and southern regions could face stronger winds and rain around Wednesday, the agency said, stressing that the typhoon's exact path and intensity remain uncertain.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said Fung-Wong may weaken as it approaches Taiwan. Still, its interaction with the northeast seasonal winds could produce potentially disaster-level rainfall in northern and eastern Taiwan.

For Sunday, the CWA predicts mostly cloudy to sunny weather across the island, with northeast winds strengthening in the afternoon.

Isolated showers are expected along the northern coast, in Greater Taipei's mountains, and in eastern Taiwan, while coastal and offshore areas may experience strong gusts, it said.