TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei dismissed rumors Tuesday (Oct. 21) that rainfall from severe Tropical Storm Fengshen (風神颱風) met thresholds for work and class suspensions. The storm's peripheral circulation, combined with the northeast monsoon, has intensified rainfall across northern Taiwan over two days.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) told media before a city council meeting that mountain areas facing the wind will experience heavier rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday. The mayor stated lowlands will not meet suspension standards, noting only five elementary schools in mountain areas suspended activities. City officials will continue monitoring conditions and communicating with weather forecasting teams.
Taipei City reported the Central Weather Administration's (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national weather service, forecast Monday (Oct. 20) at 8 p.m. estimated 150-250 millimeters of rainfall in lowlands over 24 hours. The prediction was downgraded to 100-190 millimeters by 4 a.m. Tuesday, falling short of the 350-millimeter suspension threshold.
Taipei City emphasized it will closely monitor weather changes while prioritizing citizen safety. Media reports of 428 millimeters of maximum rainfall in lowlands referenced total accumulation over 37 hours from Sunday (Oct. 19) at 6 p.m. to Tuesday (Oct. 21) at 7 a.m. Officials clarified suspension standards are based on future 24-hour rainfall predictions, not cumulative totals. ◼
