Typhoon Mitag is lashing Taiwan with heavy rains and powerful wind gusts. On its current path, spaghetti models show the storm passing mainland China, then moving towards South Korea and Japan. At 6pm UTC (7pm BST), Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) located Typhoon Mitag at lattitude 26.1 (N), longitude 122.4 (E).
Typhoon Mitag has maximum sustained wind speeds of 133km/h according to the latest update, and is moving at a speed of 24km/h in a north-northwestward direction.
The Korea Times reported that Typhoon Mitag is expected to hit the Korean Peninsula on Thursday, potentially bringing up to 600mm of heavy rain with it.
Central Weather Bureau (CWB) is issuing a number of extreme weather warnings for Taiwan.
Sea warning areas include the sea of north Taiwan, the sea of northeast Taiwan and north Taiwan strait.
Land warning areas also include Keelung, Yilan County, New Taipei City, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Taoyuan City, Taipei City, Lienchiang County.
From late Monday night through to late this morning (local time) there are warnings for extremely heavy rain in Keelung North Coast; Taipei City; New Taipei City; Taoyuan City Mountain Area; Hsinchu County Mountain Area; Yilan County.
Heavy rain advisories have also been issued for Taoyuan City; Miaoli County Mountain Area; Taichung City Mountain Area.
A number of regions have experienced accumulated rainfall above 80mm in the last 24 hours (0.10am to 0.10am from September 30, to October 1, local time).
According to Taiwan News reports, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) predicted Taiwan would feel the most intense effects of Typhoon Mitag tonight (September 30, between 6pm and midnight local time).
Typhoon Mitag strengthened as it approached Taiwan yesterday, bringing a flurry of powerful winds and heavy rainfall with it.
The Ministry of National Defense set up a disaster response centre on Sunday night in response to Typhoon Mitag’s approach.
More than 34,000 soldiers were placed on standby in preparation for the typhoon’s arrival.
Armed forces were also deployed to New Taipei City’s Linkou District and Yilan County’s Suao Township.
The two areas were expected to be hit hard by the extreme weather.