Tropical storm Lupit struck Chinese mainland last night and weakened in to a depression. Currently, the storm is centered close to Longhai city in China’s Fujian Province, about 375 km southwest of Taipei (Taiwan). The tropical depression is tracking northeastward at a speed of 15kmh and packed with winds of the order of 60-80kmh.
The weather system is likely to clear the coastal areas of China and lurch back in the South China Sea in the next 12-18hr. The storm has altered its course in the past 18hrs and will now be heading for 2nd landfall near Taipei on Sunday, 08thAug.
Irrespective of its track, the peripheral of the storm will start affecting North Taiwan from 07Aug and continue for 24 hrs. Unstable weather conditions with strong winds, torrential rains and large waves are expected to impact extreme northern parts of Taiwan.
The sensitive weather conditions will result landslides, rockfalls and mudslides in the mountainous terrain. Localized flooding and inundation is quite likely in the low lying areas. The inclement weather conditions will clear Taiwan by Sunday afternoon, as the storm enters East China Sea.
The tropical storm will pick up strength again while over open waters of the sea. The cyclone will keep tracking northeast and head for southern parts of Japan. It is expected to make 3rd landfall over the southern tip of country on Tuestay, 10thAug in the morning hours (local time). The storm is likely to strike between Kugoshima and Fukuoka and clear the landmass in the subsequent 12hr. Thereafter, Lupit will move nearly parallel to the coastline of Japan keeping a safe distance from Osaka, Nagoya and Yokohama. Finally, the storm will sail over open waters of North Pacific Ocean without encountering anymore landmass. Tokyo Olympic Games will conclude safely on 08thAugust 2021 without getting impinged due to stormy conditions in the neighborhood.
