Due to Typhoon Mekkhala moving north, as well as the influence of the front and southwest winds, heavy rain has fallen across wide areas of Taiwan. On the 26th, the meteorological authorities issued heavy rain warnings for 19 counties and cities, including extremely severe rain warnings for Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County, and severe rain warnings for Tainan City, New Taipei City, and Hsinchu County. Work and classes have been suspended today in Kaohsiung City, Tainan City, Pingtung County, and Hsinchu County.
Authorities reported that more than 480 incidents of flooding have occurred across Taiwan, with most concentrated in the south; 74 sites are still inundated. The Water Resources Department has sent 8 large water pumps each to Pingtung and Hualien.
Taiwan Railways stated that some sections of the southbound trunk line between Tainan and Kaohsiung are flooded, and services in both directions have been suspended. Long-distance travelers in the south are urged to use alternative transportation. On the 25th, Taipei City saw heavy rain, with rainfall in Neihu District exceeding 250 mm in the morning, causing flooding in many places. On the evening of the 25th in New Taipei City, drainage channel water levels surged, leading to traffic controls on several sections of road.
The meteorological bureau indicated that Typhoon Mekkhala is currently moving at a speed of 26 to 51 km per hour towards the northeast or east-northeast. The maximum wind speed near the center is 25 meters per second, equivalent to a force 10 wind, with a maximum instantaneous gust of 33 meters per second, equivalent to force 12. The radius of the storm with winds at force 7 or above is 120 kilometers. It is forecast that at 8 am on the 27th, the storm's center will be at latitude 31.6°N and longitude 134.2°E, which is 870 km northeast of Naha. Ships operating in the northern waters of Taiwan and near the Ryukyu Islands should pay special attention.