Heavy rain forecast as low-pressure system nears Taiwan

Taipei, Aug. 30 (CNA) A low-pressure system over the South China Sea is expected to bring the heaviest rainfall of the coming week to Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday, with southern and central areas as well as Taitung County potentially seeing extremely heavy rain, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Sunday.

The low-pressure system could develop into a tropical depression as it approaches Taiwan, though it remains uncertain whether it will intensify into a tropical storm, CWA forecaster Wang Pin-hsiang (王品翔) said.

Taiwan will remain under the influence of a broad low-pressure belt throughout the week, resulting in unstable weather, Wang said.

Southern Taiwan is expected to see localized heavy or extremely heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday, while central areas and Taitung could see heavy rain or extremely heavy rainfall over short periods.

Afternoon thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall are forecast elsewhere.

An extremely heavy rain warning indicates accumulated rainfall of more than 200mm in 24 hours or 100mm within three hours, while a heavy rain alert means accumulated rainfall of more than 80mm in 24 hours or 40mm in one hour, according to the CWA.

Rainfall is expected to ease gradually from Wednesday through Saturday, although localized heavy rain will remain possible in southern Taiwan and mountainous areas on Wednesday. Elsewhere, afternoon thunderstorms are forecast, with isolated heavier downpours possible.

Daytime highs will remain around 33-34 degrees Celsius during the coming week, though conditions will remain hot and humid before rainfall begins, Wang said.

Separately, Wang said another tropical system east of the Philippines could strengthen into a tropical storm while moving toward the Ryukyu Islands, although its intensity and path remain uncertain.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Etau weakened into a tropical depression on Sunday afternoon, while Tropical Storm Banlang continued moving northward. Neither system is expected to affect Taiwan, Wang said.

The forecast came after intense afternoon thunderstorms drenched Changhua County on Sunday, causing flooding in several areas.

Authorities closed Changhua City's Minsheng and Hsiaoyang underpasses in both directions after severe flooding made them impassable, while rapidly rising water inundated roads in Yuanlin City, submerging some parked motorcycles.

The CWA had earlier issued a heavy rain advisory for Changhua and parts of western and southeastern Taiwan, citing the combined effects of the low-pressure belt and strong afternoon convective activity.