Torrential rain to continue in western Taiwan throughout Friday

Taipei, June 26 (CNA) Torrential rain is expected to continue across western Taiwan throughout Friday due to the effects of a weather front and southwesterly winds, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

CWA forecaster Chao Hung (趙竑) said the weather front and southwesterly wind system remained unstable Friday, bringing continued downpours, while the outer bands of Tropical Storm Mekkhala, now near Okinawa, exacerbated conditions.

Mekkhala is forecast to move toward waters south of Kyushu, with its center continuing to move away from Taiwan, Chao said.

The CWA has issued a torrential rain advisory for Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County, where accumulated rainfall could exceed 350 millimeters in 24 hours or 200 mm in three hours.

Extremely heavy rain or torrential rain advisories are also in effect for mountainous areas of New Taipei and Hsinchu County in the north, as well as Tainan City and the Hengchun Peninsula in the south. An extremely heavy rain warning indicates accumulated rainfall could exceed 200 mm in 24 hours or accumulated rainfall exceeds 100 millimeter in three hours.

Heavy rain or extremely heavy rain advisories are in effect for the north coast, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu City, Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Yilan County and Taitung Country's mountainous regions in the east, and Penghu County.

Heavy rain advisories have also been issued for Keelung City, Nantou County and other parts of Taitung County, where 24-hour accumulated rainfall could exceed 80 mm.

The advisories are expected to remain in effect through Friday night.

The heavy rain has continued from Thursday, with Jiuru Township in Pingtung County recording 667 mm of rainfall over the past day, according to the CWA.

After Friday night, rainfall is forecast to moderate in the northern half of Taiwan but continue in Hualien and Taitung and windward areas in the south.

Chao said some areas in western Taiwan could see heavy rain or extremely heavy rain on Saturday before conditions stabilize on Sunday due to a strengthening Pacific high-pressure system.