Topic: Hurricane, tropical storm or super typhoon? Here is what to know about Asia’s most dangerous weather systems
颱風是一個具有破壞性的風暴。大西洋另一端稱之為「颶風」的颱風，在亞太地區最常於七月到十月間侵襲台灣。

A typhoon is a storm of damaging proportions. Also known as hurricanes across the Atlantic Ocean, the most dangerous weather systems in the Asia-Pacific region are most likely to hit Taiwan from July to October.
然而，熱帶性低氣壓和超級颱風的差別到底是什麼？

But, what’s the difference between tropical depressions and super typhoons?
亞太地區有四種類型的的破壞性暴風。它們與地震不同在於它們一定程度的可預測性。

There are four types of destructive storms in the Asia-Pacific region which, unlike earthquakes, are somewhat predictable.
風速每小時29英理(46公里)以下的稱之為「熱帶性低氣壓」；風速在每小時29英里（46公里）和每小時55.5英里（89公里）之間的稱之為「熱帶風暴」或「熱帶氣旋」。而又稱之為颶風的颱風則是風速在每小時55.5英里（89公里）和每小時114.5英里（183公里）之間的風暴。

The tropical depressions — wind speeds of 29 mph (46 kph) or less; the tropical storms — wind speeds between 29 mph (46 kph) and 55.5 mph (89 kph); and, the typhoons, also known as hurricanes — wind speeds between 55.5 mph (89 kph) and 114.5 mph (183 kph).
超級颱風，相當於第五類風暴，因為其風速超過114.5英里/小時（183公里/小時）。

Super Typhoons, which are equivalent to a category 5 storm, have wind speeds greater than 114.5 mph (183 kph).
除了帶來破壞力強大的巨風外，颱風還能降下難以置信的雨量。由於台灣島的山脈縱貫全島，這些風暴的降雨量有時會在數個月中超過常規降雨量。

In addition to bringing damaging winds, typhoons can drop incredible amounts of rain. Owing to the mountains running the length of the island, these storms can sometimes drop rain in excess months of regular precipitations.

應該準備什麼？｜What should you prepare?
颱風來襲，你應該在家中準備好一個緊急災難包，裡面應當有急救箱和基本藥物。
In case of a typhoon, you should prepare a disaster supplies kit for home, including a first aid kit and essential medications.

台灣災難醫療隊建議民眾備好足夠維持至少一天的食物量、水、電池和其他應急用品。
Disaster preparedness officials recommend that you have enough food, water, batteries, and other emergency supplies to last at least 1 day.

在斷水的情况下，可以考慮到附近的便利商店買可飲用的水和一些泡麵。
In case of water cuts, think of rushing to a convenience store next door to buy some drinkable water and some instant noodles.

還剩下什麼呢？｜What’s more?
記得將電器產品充飽電，多儲備可飲用水和電池，同時也別忘記為車子加好油(以防萬一)。同時，你也可以將家裡的浴缸先裝滿水以備不時之需。
Remember to charge up electronics, secure extra water and batteries, and fill up your car ahead of the weekend. You can also run a bathtub full of water for a large supply of emergency water, in case the water supply is interrupted.

颱風很危險不只因為它們可以造成身體傷害和財產損失；強風還可能擊倒電線和中斷水的供應。
Typhoons are dangerous not only because they can cause bodily injury and damage to property, but strong winds can also knock down power lines and disrupt the water supply. Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20210911-2762480

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Topic: Typhoonless year brings water shortage in fall/winter

Most years, Taiwan is hit by typhoons during the summer and fall, but we have yet to see a typhoon this year. This unusual situation has put pressure on water supply levels in reservoirs around Taiwan.
台灣每年夏、秋兩季颱風頻繁，但詭異的是，今年截至目前為止，竟無任何一個颱風登陸台灣，造成水庫缺水問題。

Due to global warming, the typhoons generated in the Pacific Ocean this year have all moved northward, bypassing Taiwan. Although successive fronts and afternoon showers have brought rainfall, it was only fragmented, covering limited areas and did little to replenish reservoirs. As a result, the reservoir storage this year is lower than in previous years.
這是因為全球暖化之影響，今年大平洋生成的颱風往北移，導致沒有任何一個颱風進來台灣，雖然陸續有鋒面及午後陣雨帶來雨量，但下雨範圍多為局部地區，導致水庫蓄水量較往年低。

According to the Water Resource Agency, as of 2pm yesterday, the Shihmen Reservoir’s water storage was 44 percent of capacity, the Feicuei Reservoir’s was 62.3 percent and the Zengwen Reservoir’s was 31.3 percent. Two of the three major water reservoirs have less than 50 percent of their water storage capacity.
水利署資料顯示，截至昨日下午二時為止，石門水庫蓄水量為百分之四十四，翡翠水庫蓄水量百分之六十二點三，曾文水庫蓄水率百分之三十一點三，三大水庫中有兩座儲水量低於五成。

In order to prepare for demand for water next year, the government has decided to implement three measures to control water usage. Firstly, starting from last Wednesday, night water pressure in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli areas was to be lowered from 11pm through to 5am the following day. Secondly, the irrigation of some areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli was to be suspended, and farmers affected by the measures will receive government compensation. Thirdly, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is setting up a central drought response center to better respond to the crisis and to distribute water resources according to needs. Taiwanese are advised to take water-saving measures.
為審慎因應明年用水需求，政府實施三項因應措施。第一，桃竹苗中自上週三起，每天晚上十一點至隔日清晨五點實施減壓供水；第二，桃竹苗部分地區的農田，將停止供灌，政府也會給予補償，維持農民生活；第三，經濟部將成立抗旱中央應變中心，拉高應變層級，做好調度節水，更請全民配合省水。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/10/19/2003745390

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Topic: Wax apples price rise expected due to premature drop caused by weather

Wax apples are popular gifts during the Spring Festival season in Taiwan. The fruit’s major producing area is the coastal townships in Pingtung County such as Donggang, Fangliao and Nanjhou. However, since 2016, wax apple production has been affected by adverse weather, including the strongest cold stream for 10 years and the effect of typhoons in 2016. This year’s anticipated bumper harvest never arrived, hampered by the unexpected low temperatures brought by the cold stream early this month. Prices for the popular Spring Festival gift are expected to have increased by the time of the holiday.

蓮霧是春節時令熱門的伴手禮，其主要產地為屏東沿海的東港、枋寮、南州等鄉鎮。但近年蓮霧產量連續受到二○一六年的霸王寒流，及去年因二○一六年颱風的後續影響而減少。原以為今年能豐收，但豈料日前寒流的低溫出乎意料，春節伴手禮恐面臨漲價。

This year’s first cold stream hit Taiwan in early January. It was initially hoped that wax apples would not be overly affected, but temperatures turned out to be as low as 5 degrees Celsius, as measured by a farmer in Pingtung’s Nanjhou Township. The delayed chilling injury is now in play, resulting in a sharp decrease in production. Even the fruit that survived have blackened spots on their skin, due to the effects of frostbite. The estimated output has dropped by at least 50 percent.

今年首波寒流一月初侵台，原預期蓮霧不會產生太大農害，不過卻傳出南州鄉有農友在園中測到攝氏五度低溫。現在遲發性寒害發酵，產量大減，部分僅存的蓮霧，卻也出現表皮瘀黑的凍傷，預估產量至少下滑五成。

The affected batch of wax apples was originally due to be ready to ship in about 1-2 weeks. However, the recent cold stream sent the temperature in southern Taiwan plunging to 9 degrees, and then back up to 27 to 28 degrees when the sun came out. The considerable temperature difference caused serious premature drop in wax apples, by an estimated 30 percent. To prevent further loss, farmers have harvested wax apples and put them on the market, explaining why prices have yet to increase. However, by the time of the Spring Festival, when the supply of wax apples will have fallen dramatically, it is estimated that their price will rise 20-30 percent, making them cost NT$700-800 per kg. This is still less expensive than last year’s price of over NT$1,000 per kg, the result of the strongest cold stream in 10 years.

這批受害的蓮霧大約再一到二週後就能熟成出貨，而這一波寒流南部低溫來到九度，天氣回溫後陽光直曬溫度又達二十七、八度，溫差過大的情況造成蓮霧熟前落果的情況嚴重，預估落果可能達到三成；為避免進一步損失，農民紛紛採收上市，因此蓮霧目前的價格因為產量多，仍維持平盤；但到農曆春節時，將因產量大幅減少，上品蓮霧相當搶市，因此價格預估將上漲二～三成，每公斤價格可能達到七百～八百元，但是應不至於像去年霸王級寒流來時，每公斤一千元以上還買不到蓮霧的情形。
Source article: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2018/01/24/2003686300