Northern Taiwan battered by fierce winds and heavy rain

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Torrential rains and fierce winds have battered northern Taiwan this week, due to the passing of Tropical Storm Fengshen (風神) and seasonal winds. As the storm batters Taiwan and neighboring countries, some experts have raised the alarm that such extreme weather will become the norm, as climate change causes dry spells to be drier and rainfall to be heavier.

Meteorologists have identified the heaviest rainfall areas as northern Hsinchu, Greater Taipei, the north coast of Keelung, and the region from Yilan to Hualien. The storm is hitting hardest around Waimushan (外木山) in Keelung due to the combined effect of Tropical Storm Fengshen (風神) and the northeast seasonal winds. Wild waves and 11th-grade gusts at Yehliu (野柳) have created typhoon-like conditions, causing significant concern among residents and authorities.

The combination of Fengshen's outer circulation and the northeast seasonal winds, alongside a small low-pressure system northeast of Taiwan, has extended the rainfall duration within the north and northeast, according to Wu Sheng-yu (吳聖宇), a senior consultant at WeatherRisk Explore (天氣風險管理公司). Rainfall is expected to persist until Saturday (Oct. 25), with a gradual decrease starting Sunday (Oct. 26).

Chia Hsin-hsing (賈新興), director at Taiwan Integrated Disaster Prevention of Technology Engineering & Consulting (台灣整合防災工程技術顧問公司), noted that the small low-pressure system primarily affects Yilan, the mountainous areas of New Taipei, and Yangmingshan (陽明山) in Shilin District (士林). In Taipei, rainfall accumulation has reached alarming levels, with the Qingtiangang (擎天崗) area within Yangmingshan exceeding 800 millimeters and Nangang District (南港) surpassing 700 millimeters. 

Such figures show the persistent and continuous nature of the precipitation in the north and Yilan. While Taiwan is accustomed to heavy rainfall, some experts worry that climate change is making weather extremes worse. Meteorologist Lin Te-en (林得恩) emphasized that climate change and global warming have intensified rainfall systems, making extreme precipitation events more likely. A 2022 study showed that extreme rain events have become more intense and frequent in Taiwan since the early 1960s, and that precipitation has also become less predictable.

Climate change, driven by global warming, is contributing to an increase in extreme weather events. Researchers, for example, have found that rising global temperatures will likely cause rainfall from atmospheric rivers in East Asia to intensify. Last year was the warmest year in terms of global temperature since records dating back to 1850.

Experts warn that as the frequency of extreme weather events rises, disaster preparedness and climate adaptation will become crucial. Adapting to the weather impacts of climate change, and the financing of such measures, is expected to be a major topic of negotiation during global climate talks next month at Brazil’s COP30. In the meantime, residents of Taiwan’s north and northeast continue to brace for more rain and flood risks over the long weekend, one of possibly many more heavy rain events in the future.


>>> In case of a typhoon or natural disaster, you should prepare for the storm and avoid going outside. Stay away from beaches and coastal areas for wave-watching or water activities. Be alert for strong winds and heavy rain while watching for landslides and falling rocks. Remember that emergency assistance is available at 119/1999, maritime emergencies at 118, and police or disaster reporting at 110/119.