The Central Weather Administration is warning of heavy rain and possible
flooding in the south and southeast, as the outer bands of severe Tropical
Storm Saudel, combined with strengthening southwesterly winds effect the
areas today.

Saudel was downgraded to tropical storm this morning.

The storm is currently located some 290-kilometers northeast of Matsu and is
moving in a westerly direction at 23-kilomters-an-hour.

The storm now has a radius of 180-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 108-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 137-kilometers-an-hour.

The storm is forecast to pass closest to Taiwan today, when its outer rain
bands will brush past Matsu, before it makes landfall at about noon in
China’s Zhejiang Province - when it is expected to weakening significantly.

According to the weather administration's forecast center though, rain and
localized flooding could still last into tomorrow in some places, as central
and southern Taiwan will continue to be affected by a low-pressure system.

A sea warning remains in effect for waters north of Taiwan as Typhoon Saudel
moves closer to Matsu



The storm was about 490 kilometers northeast of Matsu as of this afternoon,
moving southwest at 17 kilometers per hour.

Heavy rain advisories are in effect through tonight in central and southern
Taiwan, with a yellow alert covering Nantou, Chiayi County, Tainan,
Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and the Hengchun Peninsula

Thirty-one ferry services across eight routes have been canceled as Typhoon
Saudel approaches waters north of Taiwan.

All sailings have been suspended on routes linking Matsu with Fuzhou (福州), as
well as services from Fugang (富岡) and Houbihu (後壁湖) to Orchid Island and from
Kinmen to Shijing. (石井)

Some Green Island and Xiaoliuqiu services have also been canceled.

The Maritime and Port Bureau is advising against travel to outlying islands
during the storm.

Travelers already there should take available ferries back to Taiwan to avoid
becoming stranded.

The Central Weather Administration says Saudel will be closest to waters
north of Taiwan and near Matsu from later today through tomorrow.

Coastal areas and outlying islands could see gusts of up to force nine, while
waves are expected to reach between 2 and 4 meters.

Heavier rain is forecast for southern Taiwan and central mountain areas
tomorrow.

(PB)

The Central Weather Administration has issued a sea warning for Typhoon
Saudel.

The warning covers waters north of Taiwan.

Typhoon Saudel is currently located some 560-kilometers east-northeast of
Matsu and is moving in a west-soutjwesterly direction at speeds of between 12
and 18-kilomters-an-hour.

The storm still has radius of 200-kilometers and is packing sustained wind
speeds of 126-kilometers-an-hour, with gusts of up to 162-kilometers-an-hour.

The weather administration's forecast center says Typhoon Saudel will move
into waters north of Matsu tomorrow as it heads towards China's Zhejiang
Province.

The storm will be closest to Taiwan proper today and tomorrow.