Southern Taiwan suspends work, classes Monday as heavy rain persists

Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung County will close government offices and schools Monday as torrential rain continues to batter southern Taiwan, with authorities warning of further flooding, landslides and other hazards.

The governments of three areas announced the closures Sunday after the Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecast that rainfall would reach the thresholds for work and school suspensions. The move came as authorities continued evacuating residents from high-risk areas.

As of Sunday afternoon, Kaohsiung had evacuated 2,203 people from mountainous areas under landslide alerts, while Pingtung had evacuated 115 residents, the local governments said.

The heavy rain has already caused widespread flooding and other damage across the region.

In Kaohsiung, a vehicle was nearly submerged in floodwater in Niaosong District, with all three people inside rescued safely. A fallen tree also struck a Kaohsiung Light Rail train, temporarily disrupting service.

Floodwaters reached waist high around the Heart of Love River park in Sanmin District, while several other Kaohsiung districts reported flooded roads and traffic restrictions. Landslides and fallen trees also blocked roads in Renwu District.

In Pingtung County, 36 areas had reported flooding and fallen trees as of 4 p.m. Several roads were closed, while a section of Provincial Highway No. 24 was closed as a precaution because mountainous areas were forecast to receive about 400 millimeters of rain in 24 hours.

The heavy rain inundating southern Taiwan is the product of a low-pressure system and strong southwesterly winds, according to the CWA, which forecast those conditions would continue and bring heavy rain to southern and eastern Taiwan through Tuesday.

Southern Taiwan is expected to see particularly heavy rain Monday and Tuesday morning, while rainfall in eastern Taiwan will increase Sunday night, forecasters said.

According to the CWA, weather conditions could begin to stabilize around Taiwan on Wednesday, although afternoon thunderstorms will remain possible.

From Thursday, weather conditions will depend partly on the path of Typhoon Saudel, with rainfall expected to increase in northern Taiwan later in the week.