Tropical Storm Songda to bring rainy weather to Taiwan

Tropical Storm Songda to bring rainy weather to Taiwan

2022-07-29

The fifth tropical storm of the year formed Thursday night, but meteorologists say it won’t have a directl impact on Taiwan. Tropical Storm Songda is expected to move west-northwest toward the East China Sea as it loses strength. The storm will, however, blow in wet weather to many areas of Taiwan next week. Let’s hear from the Central Weather Bureau.

Hsieh Pei-yun
CWB forecaster
The fifth tropical storm of the year, Songda, is currently south of Japan. Last night at around eight, it strengthened into a tropical storm. It is a tropical system within a depression. In the future we expect Tropical Storm Songda to move to west-northwest through the Ryuku Islands and toward the East China Sea. Its tracked path is very far away from Taiwan, so the storm won’t have a direct impact on Taiwan’s weather. However, next Monday, as the storm approaches, the low pressure system will bring moisture to Taiwan. Mountainous areas and the plains may all see brief intermittent showers. The weather won’t be so stable at the beginning of next week. In the south, the wet weather will be even more intense. This weekend, the weather will gradually become less stable than now. And from Monday to Wednesday next week, wet weather will prevail.

The CWB says the rainy weather could start as early as this weekend, with heavier showers from Monday to Wednesday.

"桑達"對台無直接影響大低壓帶逼近雨彈炸7天

2022-07-29

今年第五號颱風桑達週四晚上生成，不過，氣象局預估，桑達將持續往西北西移動，向東海前進，更遠離台灣，強度也減弱，對台灣沒有直接影響，但大低壓帶會帶來降雨，下週一到下週三尤其明顯，屆時各地有雨。

[[中央氣象局預報員謝佩芸]]
“今年第五號颱風桑達目前位置在日本南方，昨天晚上八點形成的輕度颱風，屬於大低壓區的熱帶系統。未來預計桑達颱風逐漸往西北西移動，通過琉球海面後，往東海前進，整體路徑離台灣距離非常遙遠，因此對台灣天氣沒有直接影響。到了下個禮拜一之後，隨著整個低壓帶到台灣上空，受到低壓帶影響，台灣附近的水氣變得比較多，整體來說，不管山區降雨，或平地，各地都可能出現短暫陣雨機率，提醒大家下週初期天氣比較不穩定，南邊水氣也會影響台灣更加明顯。預期週末兩天，天氣逐漸變得比今天更不穩定，下週一到三，整體降雨狀況更為明顯。”

氣象局表示，未來一連七天都會下雨，低壓的影響將持續到下週四。

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The whale-watching boat Haijing is back on the water, much to the joy of its owners and fans. The boat was one of two that burned down while at port in January, and the pandemic meant delays to its repair. The boat’s operator said the pandemic had already chipped away at his business, so the fire was an especially hard blow. Now, Haijing - a boat that many have fond memories of from its 20 years in operation - is back in action, ready to take ocean-lovers off into the horizon.

Three dolphins swim in unison next to the boat, diving in and out of the water. It’s a captivating sight for the passengers on board this whale-watching boat.

This boat is the Haijing. Before it sets off on its inaugural trip, the crew set off firecrackers to christen the vessel. However, this is not a new vessel. It is more of a phoenix that has reemerged from the ashes.

In January this year, Haijing and one other boat moored at Shitiping Fishing Harbor caught fire. The two boats were more than 20 years old.

Lin Kuo-cheng
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When we sent the boat off for repair, we had knots in our heart. Due to the pandemic the workers at the factory were away from work, which caused a long delay in the repairs. Actually, these past few years the business has experienced negative growth, and after the boat caught fire we felt like we had to just give up. After all the years we had that boat, of course we had feelings toward it.

Voice of Ms. Yu
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It’s very touching, because it’s our old friend. Actually, when Haijing was damaged it was hard for us. Now, it’s been restored – and restored to even newer, even greater, even better condition. It can once again take those of us who are passionate about the sea, or passionate about dolphins back out onto the open water.

Haijing, which is registered to Hualien’s Fengbin Township, was Taiwan’s first whale-watching boat. Its popularity kicked off a surge in interest in whale watching. Now, after being out for repairs for half a year, Haijing has been reborn anew.

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It took about a month to do the inspection after the repairs. The deck had burned up, so that was completely replaced, which means that all the equipment is the same as that of a new boat. Therefore, it had to undergo all the same safety tests as a new boat. So, my friends, there is no need to worry – it is completely safe.

After half a year out of water, Taiwan’s first whale-watching boat is back at sea. For sea lovers, Haijing’s resurrection is like the return of an old friend.

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Yilan celebrates first day of Ghost Month with water lanterns

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A paper house lantern is set ablaze and set in the water too. Its flames illuminate the entire Yilan River. It’s the first day of the Ghost Month, meaning the doors to the underworld are now open. In Yilan, locals release water lanterns as a blessing. They burn paper money, and put out offerings for the spirits that come to the mortal realm.

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Nowadays the water lanterns are made from bamboo, which is more environmentally friendly.

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Paraguayan Student
We are very interested in Taiwanese culture, so we thought this was fascinating.

Standing on a bridge, participants marveled at the beauty of the flames reflected on the river. The lotus flowers scattered on the river and the flickering flames, are a way for Yilan locals to remember their dear ones, while paying respect to the visitors from the underworld.

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Saturday will mark two-year anniversary of the death of former President Lee Teng-hui. To celebrate the occasion, a local publisher on Friday launched a new book titled: “Mr. Agriculture Lee Teng-hui.” It covers the late president’s contributions to farming in Taiwan. The book contains many old photographs showing Lee operating farm equipment, inspecting crops and interacting with local farmers. Lee’s daughter, Annie Lee, who now heads a foundation in his name, attended the event and shared some stories about her father.

Annie Lee
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Many people know my father as a politician. But back then, that was not who my father was. The memories I treasure the most is when I was young and my father was a scholar.

Before becoming a pioneering figure in Taiwan’s democratic evolution, Lee Teng-hui was an agroeconomics scholar. He started his career in agriculture while studying in Japan. Later, he attended National Taiwan University, where he studied agricultural science. Even when he entered politics, he always stressed that agriculture is the foundation upon which nations are built.

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We recently lost former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who saw Lee Teng-hui as a mentor. But we can’t stop now. President Lee Teng-hui and Prime Minister Abe Shinzo are above us, watching our work to strengthen ties between Taiwan and Japan. Let’s keep working toward that goal.

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It was a loss for everyone, which will leave its mark on all. These few days some delegations of Japanese representatives have come to Taiwan, and we’re going to have some events to go up to Wuzhi Mountain Military Cementery.

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Chen Shih-chung
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
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Chen Chien-jen
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The heads of our support groups for each of the 12 districts are like tigers. They will lead all the members well and give good support to Ah-chung. Let’s do this.

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Chen Shih-chung
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I don’t need to do any cramming on the issue. Everyone agrees that the traffic in Neihu Technology Park is bad. They roads were planned poorly. But I think that bringing former Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou into the matter is a little bit ridiculous. Lawmaker Chiang is young and promising. But he needs maturity. He shouldn’t take the wrong path, he should take the right path in life. COVID prevention is still a matter that we have to handle, but all Chiang does on that front is repeat slogans.

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Please, everyone, get it right. Neihu Technology Park is not Neihu District. The Neihu Technology Park is the Neihu Technology Park. There are traffic jams during commuting hours, but Neihu District as a whole is well connected. It is an excellent residential area. Let’s not tarnish Neihu’s reputation.

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