Thousands evacuated, businesses closed in southern Taiwan as torrential rain continues

Torrential rains lashed southern Taiwan for a second day on Tuesday forcing some 3,000 people to evacuate and businesses and schools to close, as authorities warned of "intense" rainfall of up to 90 centimetres (35.4 inches) in the coming days.

Flooding triggered by a depression has submerged streets and buildings in several towns and villages across southern Taiwan this week. Nine people have been injured and 88 rescued from inundated buildings and cars so far, according to official data.

The Central Weather Administration forecast up to 0.9 metres of rainfall in mountainous areas of the south over the coming days and warned that "intense" rainfall could trigger more flooding and landslides.

Taiwan is still recovering from Typhoon Danas, which struck the island's densely-populated west coast with record winds and brought widespread damage to its electricity grid and some houses.

In the southern city of Tainan, dozens of people were evacuated from houses damaged by Danas, while Taiwan TV footage showed residents in Chiayi County wading through waterlogged roads, pushing scooters, and navigating around inundated buildings. 

Reuters