Torrential rain hit central and southern Taiwan, flooding Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and other areas. Some schools closed urgently, and low-lying residents were stranded.

In Kaohsiung's Gangshan, low-lying areas flooded overnight, and police and firefighters used rubber boats to rescue trapped residents. Two schools in Hsinchu County closed urgently as the county activated a flexible closure mechanism.

On the high-speed rail between Hsinchu and Miaoli, a slope-movement alert halted trains for about 19 minutes. In Pingtung, an elevated highway was opened as temporary shelter after flooding.

Meteorologists attributed the strong southern thunderstorms to a trough and warm, moist southwest airflow, but said rain should ease as the airflow weakens.

Summer downpours are a shared East Asian hazard. Taiwan's Chinese community is guarding against flood and landslide risks and revisiting the importance of safety checks.