TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A weather front has prompted the Central Weather Administration (CWA) to issue heavy rain advisories for nine counties and cities in north Taiwan on Thursday (April 18).
The CWA said from early morning until noon there is a higher probability of heavier rainfall in the north, possibly accompanied by lightning, strong wind gusts, and landslides in mountainous areas, per Liberty Times.
At 6:35 a.m., the CWA issued a PWS message warning of heavy rain and flash floods in Taipei and New Taipei. At 7 a.m., the Taipei City Government on its Line group said a strong convective cloud system passed over Shilin and Beitou districts and maximum hourly rainfall reached 48.5 mm.
It was estimated that rainfall would reach more than 40 mm by 8 a.m. Relevant bureaus and offices of the Taipei City Government have completed preparations, and the Taipei Emergency Operation Center has been upgraded to Level 3.
New Taipei's Wugu District recorded 71.5 mm of rain by 7:36 a.m., while Xiaoyoukeng in Taipei's Beitou District registered 64 mm.
At 8:55 a.m., the CWA issued heavy rain advisories until late afternoon for Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Hsinchu County, Miaoli, Taichung, and Yilan. A heavy rain advisory is defined as an excess of 80 mm of rain within 24 hours or more than 40 mm within one hour.