By KHT Staff. Images via social media. Cover shows flooding in Dashe (大社) District, Kaohsiung.
KAOHSIUNG — Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung County suspended work and classes Friday after heavy rain from Typhoon Mekkhala’s outer bands, a nearby weather front, and strengthened southwesterly winds caused flooding across southern Taiwan.
Kaohsiung City Government (高雄市政府) reportedly decided around midnight on a citywide stop to work and school after updated rainfall forecasts showed significant rain was still expected during the Friday morning commute. The city said the measure was intended to reduce the risk of travel during possible extreme torrential rain.
Kaohsiung had earlier announced closures for 10 districts, including Cishan (旗山), Meinong (美濃), Liugui (六龜), Jiasian (甲仙), Neimen (內門), Shanlin (杉林), Tianliao (田寮), Maolin (茂林), Taoyuan (桃源), and Namasia (那瑪夏), before expanding the order citywide.
Flooding was reported overnight in several Kaohsiung districts, including Gangshan (岡山), Nanzih (楠梓), Zuoying (左營), Renwu (仁武), and Daliao (大寮). In Meinong, Cishan, and Neimen, 24-hour accumulated rainfall had exceeded 400 millimeters by early Friday, according to rain data cited by local media.
Tainan City Government (台南市政府) said it ordered a full city closure after updated Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) forecasts showed multiple districts had reached the threshold for suspending work and classes. The city said thunderstorms continued overnight, with heavy rain recorded in several areas.
Pingtung County Government said rainfall in the county exceeded 500 millimeters on Thursday, while the CWA continued to issue extremely torrential rain warnings. The county said more short-period heavy downpours were possible and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
The CWA warned Friday that Kaohsiung and Pingtung could see localized torrential or extremely torrential rain, while Tainan and the Hengchun Peninsula could see localized torrential or extremely heavy rain. Residents in low-lying and mountain areas were advised to watch for flooding, landslides, rockfalls, debris flows, and swollen streams.
Heavy rain also affected transportation. Taiwan Railway Corp. suspended service in both directions between Yongkang (永康) and Gangshan early Friday after floodwater reached tracks at some stations.
Officials urged residents to monitor local updates, avoid mountain and riverside areas, and stay off flooded roads.
