By KHT Staff. AI image based on CWB forecasts – for illustration only.
KAOHSIUNG — Southern Taiwan residents were urged to remain prepared for stronger winds and heavy mountain rain as Typhoon Bavi approached Taiwan on Friday, although the storm’s land warning covered northern and eastern areas.
The Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) issued the land warning at 2:30 a.m. Friday for Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Yilan, and Hualien. A sea warning had been issued at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
As of 8 a.m., Bavi’s center was about 700 kilometers east of Eluanbi (鵝鑾鼻) and moving northwest at 25 kilometers per hour.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 162 kph, with gusts reaching 198 kph. Its gale-force wind radius extended 380 kilometers from the center.
Bavi is forecast to pass near northeastern Taiwan before moving into waters north of the island. However, its large circulation was expected to bring wind and rain well beyond the storm’s projected path.
CWA Forecast Center Director Lin Po-tung (林伯東) said rain would intensify in mountain areas as the storm approached.
Southern mountain districts could experience localized heavy rain, while stronger winds were expected in exposed coastal areas, including Tainan and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島).
The most significant rainfall across Taiwan was forecast from Friday night through Saturday. Earlier CWA projections showed widespread heavy rain or extremely heavy rain, with the highest totals expected in northern Taiwan and mountainous areas of central and northeastern Taiwan.
Residents in low-lying areas were advised to prepare for possible flooding, while people in mountain areas should remain alert for landslides and falling rocks.
Large waves were also expected around Taiwan. The CWA said waves exceeding 6 meters were possible along the east coast, Hengchun Peninsula, and parts of the western and northern coasts.
Unstable weather could continue after the typhoon moves away, with southwesterly winds bringing occasional showers and afternoon thunderstorms through the middle of next week.
