People urged to prepare for typhoons

In its latest weather forecast, the CWB said Namtheum's strength had been weakening and dwindled to a tropical low pressure system.

However, the force of Lionrock has continued growing, said CWB officials.

President Ma Ying-jeou visited the Central Emergency Operation Center to inspect preparations against possible damages from the typhoon and instructed all relevant government units to stay on alert.

Ma said it is the responsibility of city and county governments to make every effort to prevent disasters and to launch rescue missions, while the central government is obliged to offer all possible support to the local governments.

All the residents in low-lying areas and mountain regions should also maintain alert, he said.

Noting that rainfall had surpassed 300 mm in Taipei City's Zhuzihu area on Yangmingshan, Ma said the runoff will flow directly into the Keelung River, which runs through the city, so the city must take precautions against possible flooding.

Earlier in the day, Premier Wu Den-yih also visited the center to hear briefings on the movement of the storms.

Military troops were assigned to some mountainous regions in southern Taiwan to get ready for possible evacuation operations as river water levels continued rising amid heavy rainfall.

The CWB said Lionrock was located at sea close to the Tongsha islands, moving slowly in an easterly direction.

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