Weather officials are urging people in eastern Taiwan and along the southern Hengchun Peninsula to take precautions as Typhoon Noul approaches.
Forecasters say that as of 11:30 on Monday morning, the eye of the storm was located about 160km southeast of the southern tip of Taiwan. It was moving in a northeasterly direction at a speed of up to 54km per hour.
Typhooon Noul is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, but authorities have issued a sea warning. They say that with the storm system already covering southern Taiwan and nearby waters, it’s likely to have the biggest impact before nightfall on Monday. However, they were likely to lift the sea warning at 8:30pm.
The Central Weather Bureau is urging people to stay away from the coastline in eastern Taiwan. There have already been reports of waves up to four meters high. Taitung County also canceled work and school on Orchid Island and Green Island on Monday afternoon.
Authorities say that people in western Taiwan, particularly in mountainous areas, should be on the lookout for heavy rain and thundershowers.