# Unstable weather and heavy rain in Taiwan > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/unstable-weather-and-heavy-rain-in-taiwan > Updated: 2026-08-22T03:12:00.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 4. Taiwan continues to face unstable weather driven by southwest monsoon winds and low-pressure zones. While temperatures in northern and eastern regions have reached up to 36 degrees Celsius, the Central Weather Administration has warned of intermittent showers and thunderstorms across the island. An annual spring tide between August 13 and 15 raised concerns regarding high water levels and seawater intrusion in low-lying coastal areas from Keelung to Taitan and from Chiayi to Pingtung. By August 22, heavy rainfall from the low-pressure zone and southwest monsoon caused significant flooding in southern Taiwan, particularly in Kaohsiung and Pingtung. The Central Weather Administration issued heavy rain warnings for 17 counties, placing Kaohsiung and Pingtung under high-alert status for torrential downpours. In response, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung suspended work and classes. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Qi-mai activated a Level 1 emergency response center to inspect flood prevention facilities, including retention ponds and pumping stations. Local flooding has impacted transportation, with reports of submerged vehicles and cordoned-off roads. As conditions intensified, some areas in Kaohsiung recorded 684 mm of rain over three days, nearly half of the city’s annual average. Authorities have evacuated 2,615 people in Kaohsiung and deployed 137 mobile water pumps. In Pingtung, 115 people were evacuated as roads closed due to landslide and debris flow risks. Tainan also deployed hundreds of mobile pumps to manage flooding in low-lying areas. Emergency services and the military are assisting with disaster response efforts. Meteorologists continue to monitor Typhoon Sandal (also referred to as Shadel), which is located near Guam. While models show varying paths, including potential turns toward Japan or South Korea, some suggest a westward movement toward Taiwan or near northern Taiwan. The system has the potential to intensify into a strong typhoon as it approaches the Ryukyu Islands around August 26. ## Claims - Kaohsiung City has announced the suspension of work and classes for August 23 due to unstable weather. (disputed by 4 sources) - Kaohsiung City announced that on the 24th, work and classes will be suspended throughout the city. (disputed by 2 sources) - A strong southwest monsoon and a low-pressure trough are causing heavy rainfall across southern and eastern Taiwan. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Typhoon Sandal is expected to potentially intensify into a strong typhoon as it moves toward the Ryukyu Islands. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Experts suggest two potential paths for Typhoon Sandal, one passing near northern Taiwan and another potentially making landfall. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The water level of the Houjin River in the Renwu section has reached nearly 90 percent capacity. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Accumulated rainfall in districts including Fengshan, Siaogang, and Lingya exceeded 150mm. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Multiple roads in the Nanzi District have been cordoned off due to flooding. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Water accumulation under the Highway 88 bridge in Fengshan reached the height of vehicle tires. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: Southern Taiwan faces heavy flooding and work suspensions Heavy rainfall from a low-pressure zone and southwest monsoon has triggered flooding in southern Taiwan, leading to work and class suspensions in Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung, and thousands of evacuations. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-infrastructure-projects-focus-on-water-safety-and-flood-resilience ### 2026-08-21: Taiwan and Hong Kong face heavy rain and typhoon threats Heavy rain from a southwest monsoon and low-pressure trough has led to work and class suspensions in southern Taiwan, while Typhoon Sandal approaches the Ryukyu Islands. Hong Kong faces scattered thunderstorms. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-weather-alert-heavy-rain-and-potential-typhoon-shadel-intensification ### 2026-08-15: Taiwan weather alert: Heavy rain and low-pressure zone to bring unstable conditions Taiwan faces unstable weather with heavy rain expected in several counties due to a low-pressure zone. Rainfall may intensify between August 19 and 21, with potential tropical disturbances forming nearby. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-weather-alert-heavy-rain-and-low-pressure-zone-to-bring-unstable-conditions ### 2026-08-11: Taiwan weather: Thunderstorms in south and high heat in north Taiwan faces unstable weather with thunderstorms in central and southern regions and high temperatures up to 36°C. An annual spring tide from August 13-15 may cause coastal flooding. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-weather-thunderstorms-in-south-and-high-heat-in-north --- Cite as: Unstable weather and heavy rain in Taiwan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/unstable-weather-and-heavy-rain-in-taiwan