Taiwan to see week's most significant rainfall Tuesday, Wednesday: CWA

Taipei, June 8 (CNA) Taiwan could see its most significant rainfall of the week on Tuesday and Wednesday as a weather front and seasonal southeasterly winds linger over the island, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Short-duration heavy rainfall is forecast islandwide, while thunderstorms could occur in the western half of Taiwan and Yilan County in the northeast, CWA forecaster Huang En-hung (黃恩鴻) told CNA on Monday.

Mountainous areas in central and southern Taiwan will also likely see extremely heavy rainfall, referring to accumulated rainfall of 200 millimeters or more within 24 hours, Huang said.

On Thursday, the frontal system is forecast to move south toward the Bashi Channel, with rainfall easing in northern Taiwan, he said. But central and southern Taiwan were still expected to see brief showers or thunderstorms.

The forecaster said wet weather is expected to persist in Taiwan from Friday through June 15 before more stable conditions return to the island's northern and eastern half the following day.

According to the CWA website, the highest accumulated rainfall recorded on Taiwan on Monday as of 8:30 p.m. was 145 millimeters in Zhongshan District in Taipei, followed by 139 mm in Meinong District in Kaohsiung and 137.5 mm in Ligang Township in Pingtung County.

The CWA warned of lightning and strong wind gusts, and urged people to beware of landslides, falling rocks and surging streams in mountainous areas, as well as flooding in low-lying areas.

It has also issued a torrential rain advisory, defined as accumulated rainfall of 350 mm or more in 24 hours, or more than 200 mm within three hours, for parts of Kaohsiung and Pingtung. The warning is in effect until Tuesday night.

As such, the Kaohsiung City government announced school and office closures for Tuesday in the mountainous districts of Namasia, Taoyuan, Jiasian, Liouguei and Maolin.

The Pingtung County government also announced school and office closures for Tuesday across eight different townships -- Wutai, Sandimen, Majia, Laiyi, Taiwu, Chunrih, Shizi and Mudan.

Separately, the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office said its 11:50 a.m. service from Alishan to Chiayi will operate as scheduled on Tuesday, while all other trains, including those on the three branch lines (Zhushan, Zhaoping and Shenmu) and the main line from Chiayi to Alishan, will be suspended.

All services will also be suspended on Wednesday.

The office said services will resume only after weather conditions improve and safety inspections of the railway have been completed. Passengers who have already purchased tickets may apply for a full refund within one year of the scheduled travel date.