Several counties along the east coast of Taiwan were preparing for torrential rain on Saturday. The Central Weather Bureau issued warnings for Taitung and parts of Pingtung county. An extremely heavy rain warning was in effect for the rest of Pingtung, as well as Hualien and parts of Ilan and Kaohsiung.
The rain is being brought by Tropical Storm Aere which swept by southern Taiwan on Thursday and now is located just off the shore of southern China. Meteorologists say that the storm is particularly slow moving, and that’s led to several days of rain, and as much as 500 mm in parts of Taitung County.
Forecasters are warning residents in low-lying areas to be on alert for flooding. They advised people to avoid going to mountainous areas, which are prone to landslides, rockslides and flooded rivers following days of rain.
As for the forecast for the rest of the national day weekend, forecasters say that northern Taiwan where the official events will take place on Monday, can expect a 60% chance of rain.