Taiwan Torrential Rain Kills 4, Forces 6,000 Evacuations

Taiwan has experienced unprecedented heavy rainfall since late July, with some areas receiving more than two meters of rain over the past week, surpassing the island's annual average rainfall. The torrential rains, driven by a low-pressure system and strong southwesterly winds influenced by Typhoon Co-May, have caused severe flooding and landslides, particularly in southern and central Taiwan. The disaster has resulted in four deaths, three missing persons, and over 70 injuries, with nearly 6,000 people evacuated from affected areas, making it one of the largest evacuations in recent years. Infrastructure damage includes road closures, power outages affecting hundreds of households, and disruptions to work and school schedules in cities like Kaohsiung and Tainan. Authorities, including Premier Cho Jung-tai, have described the situation as unprecedented and are proposing special budgets for relief efforts while warning residents to avoid dangerous mountainous areas. While the rain is expected to subside soon, scientists note that climate change may be intensifying such extreme weather events in the region.