TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Typhoon Dolphin continued to weaken Sunday after bringing significant rainfall to central and northern Taiwan as it passed north of the country.
The public was urged to remain alert for strong winds and heavy rain. Due to the typhoon's rapid movement, the Central Weather Administration said a sea warning could be lifted as early as Monday morning.
As of 2 p.m. Sunday, Typhoon Dolphin was moving northwest at 17 kph, with a radius of force 7 winds of about 220 kilometers. Maximum sustained winds near the center reached 33 meters per second, with gusts of up to 43 mps, per LTN.
The storm's circulation had contracted slightly over the previous three hours, while its intensity continued to weaken. However, the CWA maintained a sea warning for waters north of Taiwan.
CWA senior weather specialist Wu Wan-hua (伍婉華) said Dolphin was weakening as it passed through waters north of Taiwan. Based on its current track, the sea warning could be lifted as early as Monday morning.
Wu said that as of late Sunday morning, northern and central Taiwan had recorded significant rainfall, with particularly heavy rain in mountainous areas. Localized heavy rain was expected to continue in central and northern Taiwan, while strong winds could affect several areas, including Matsu.
Rain in northern Taiwan was expected to gradually ease Sunday night. However, the southwest monsoon and the typhoon's outer circulation could bring localized heavy rain over the next several days, per LTN.
Wu said weather conditions would remain unstable after the typhoon passes, with intermittent rain expected in central and southern Taiwan and afternoon thunderstorms in other areas. Localized heavy rain could also occur in northern mountainous areas after noon.
She urged residents in Keelung, New Taipei City, and Matsu to remain alert for large waves. Waves exceeding 3 meters were expected in waters north and east of Taiwan and the northern Taiwan Strait.
High tides were also expected along the northern coasts of Keelung and Yilan, while residents in low-lying coastal areas were warned of possible seawater intrusion and flooding.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) was questioned by DPP Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei (簡舒培) over why schools and businesses remained open despite weather conditions that she said were worse than those during Typhoon Bavi, which prompted widespread closures, per UDN.
Chiang said the two situations were different, noting that the CWA issued a land typhoon warning for Typhoon Bavi but was not expected to issue one for Typhoon Dolphin. He said Taipei had applied consistent standards in making its decision.
Regarding concerns over whether wind gusts had reached the threshold for school and work closures, Chiang said the CWA had made clear that neither wind speeds nor rainfall had reached the criteria for suspending work and classes. The Taipei Emergency Operation Center said that as of 11 a.m. Sunday, it had received 182 reports of minor incidents, with fallen trees the most common, followed by collapsed fences.
