Persistent torrential rain has paralyzed parts of southern Taiwan this week, prompting local authorities to shutter schools and government offices across Kaohsiung, Tainan, Pingtung, and Chiayi, as well as the eastern counties of Taitung and Hualien. The region has been battered by a stubborn low-pressure system that dumped staggering amounts of water—with Kaohsiung alone expecting over 1.3 meters of rainfall in just five days, nearly half of its annual average. As a result, transportation networks have struggled, with Taiwan Railway cancelling several express services and warning that local lines remain subject to weather-related delays.

While the region braces for the arrival of Typhoon Saudel, which is projected to pass near Taiwan’s northern coast by Friday, major industry players remain largely unaffected. TSMC, the global semiconductor giant, confirmed that its facilities in Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Chiayi are operating normally, having successfully completed all standard heavy-rain safety protocols. Despite this industrial stability, local officials are urging the public to exercise extreme caution and stay indoors until the severe weather passes.