Taiwan braces for second tropical storm

The second tropical storm to affect the island this year, Wutip was centered at 280 kilometers east of the Hengchun Peninsula at 8 p.m. last night, moving at a speed of 22 kilometers per hour toward Taiwan.

The storm is expected to hit Taiwan around noon today, CWB meteorologists said.

Wutip, the seventh tropical storm reported in the West Pacific area this year, is expected to affect the eastern counties of Yilan, Hualien and Taitung, as well as Green Island, Lanyu (Orchid Island), the Bashi Channel area and waters off eastern Taiwan, the forecasters said.

"Vessels are advised to avoid sailing in waters south-east and north-east of Taiwan, Bashi Channel and the northern part of the Taiwan Strait," said Hsieh Ming-chang, a spokesman of the CWB.

The CWB added that although Wutip is coming closely on the heels of Pabuk, it is not expected to lead to a Fujiwara Effect, or Twin Typhoon Effect, because both storm systems are not strong enough.

The CWB, however, still called for residents in eastern and southern Taiwan to be on alert as the two storms are expected to trigger torrential rainfall in these areas over the next several days, and added that today was crucial in determining what path Wutip would take.

CWB's Weather Forecast Center Director Wu Te-jung said that a more pressing matter than the new storm is that Taiwan is currently in the midst of a low-pressure system, which might induce a southwest flow into the island and thus potentially disturb normal weather patterns "for a period of time."

Whether or not the southwest flow will affect Taiwan, however, will be determined only after the CWB ascertains Wutip's path, said the director.

As for area office and school closings, Hualien County has announced schools and government offices will be closed today. Taitung County, meanwhile, says schools will be closed today, but government offices will remain open.

Mini-three link services will be suspended again today due to the storm, port authorities said.