28-8-2023 (MANILA) Tropical storm Saola is heading towards Taiwan, causing heavy rainfall in the northern Philippines, leading to power outages in some areas and the evacuation of nearly 2,000 people. As Saola approaches, it is expected to make landfall over southern Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday. Currently, the storm has maximum winds of 155km/h with gusts reaching up to 190km/h.
This is the seventh tropical storm to affect the Philippines this year. Earlier, Saola had sustained winds of 185km/h with gusts up to 230km/h. The storm has not only brought strong winds, rainfall, and power disruptions but has also forced evacuations.
The Philippines’ weather bureau has warned of the potential for flooding and rain-induced landslides, particularly in areas highly susceptible to these hazards. The northern provinces of the Philippines are vital agricultural regions, producing rice, corn, and vegetables.
The Philippines, consisting of over 7,600 islands, experiences an average of 20 tropical storms annually, although only a few make landfall. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s fire department anticipates heavy rainfall in the mountainous and sparsely populated southeastern part of the island, although it has not predicted a direct landfall of the typhoon at this time.
