Taiwan continues to be battered by torrential rains as a southwest monsoon moves north, causing many of the island’s cities and counties to cancel school and work June 12, according to the Central Weather Bureau.
Severe rains began falling June 9 in the south, resulting in flooding and landslides, the CWB said. The monsoon reached northern Taiwan around 10 p.m. June 11, meeting a frontal system and bringing downpours and flooding in Taoyuan County, New Taipei City and Taipei City, which have all declared a day off. Precipitation in the north has exceeded 300 millimeters in the last 24 hours.
Other localities stopping school and work include Tainan and Kaohsiung cities, as well as Pingtung County. A day off has been announced for parts of Hsinchu County, Taichung City and Nantou County.
The heavy rains have resulted in five deaths and one injury. Agricultural losses so far are estimated at NT$43.59 million (US$1.46 million), according to the Council of Agriculture.
Taiwan Today is being published ahead of the normal deadline June 12 due to the extreme weather conditions. (THN)