Climate and Natural Disasters

Taiwan Scorches in 38°C Heat As Typhoon Tracks Toward East Coast

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By Yuan Tuan/Irene Lin

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Taiwan is grappling with extreme weather conditions as a high temperatures collide with an approaching typhoon. Temperatures peaked at 38°C in seven regions over the long weekend. The Central Weather Administration warns that a newly formed typhoon is moving northwest and may impact Taiwan's eastern coast by next Thursday.

On the last day of this three-day weekend... highways are crammed with cars returning home after holiday travels...

But the high heat has proven harmful in the past weeks. Over 170 people have sought medical attention for heat-related injuries.

Orange alerts have been issued in seven regions... Where temperatures have gone up to 38 degrees Celsius.

Record highs of at least 30 degrees... seen across Taiwan.

But don't be fooled by the cloudless skies and the blazing sun... authorities say a typhoon has formed and will likely reach Taiwan's east coast next Thursday.

CHENG CHIEH-JEN, CENTRAL WEATHER ADMINISTRATION: "If the Pacific atmospheric pressure is relatively high [the storm] may move further west before turning north. If the pressure is relatively weak its northward turn speed or direction becomes more pronounced then it will steer away from Taiwan."

Authorities say they will not rule out a sea warning when the typhoon approaches.

In the meantime... They're urging people to seek shelter from the sun and stay hydrated.