Taiwan braces for typhoon, heavy rainfall

•Source： Taiwan Today
•By Grace Kuo

The ROC government activated its Central Emergency Operations Center June 18 ahead of approaching Typhoon Talim, instructing Taiwan to be on alert as the tropical storm is expected to bring extremely heavy rains to all parts of the island.

“The Council of Agriculture, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Transportation and Communications have all completed their preparations,” the Cabinet said.

“We hope local governments can set up their emergency operations centers beforehand as well,” it added.

The storm, which is being accompanied by a southwest monsoon, is almost certain to bring heavy rainfall that could affect a wide area, according to the Cabinet. “Typhoon Talim is expected to bring between 1,200 and 1,500 millimeters of rain,” said MOI Minister Lee Hong-yuan.

“All cities, counties and districts should proceed with flood prevention works, prepare sandbags and water pumps, and check the water gates in advance, while residents along the low-laying western coast should prepare for the possibility of flooding and seawater inundation,” the Cabinet said.

It also advised the people of Taiwan to store food and water, as well as to cooperate with the government in evacuation measures.

Reservoirs are still full due to a southwest airstream that battered Taiwan last week. The soil in some parts of Taiwan is also relatively loose as a result of a magnitude 6 earthquake that struck the eastern part of the island June 9. Numerous aftershocks have followed since then.

“All government agencies, from central to local, will work together to make the utmost preparations and minimize the harm to its lowest level possible,” Lee stressed.

Taiwan is currently sandwiched between two typhoons. Located 660 kilometers southwest of Penghu as of 11:30a.m. June 19, Talim is expected to move northeast and affect the nation throughout the week, while Typhoon Guchol is veering away from Taiwan and headed for Japan.

The Central Weather Bureau issued the first sea warning for Talim earlier this morning at 5:30a.m.