Southern Taiwan is preparing for further flooding and landslides as heavy rain persists, while a strengthening typhoon is forecast to enter the Philippines’ area of responsibility.

Focus Taiwan reported that Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung County in the south of the country will suspend work and classes on August 24 as torrential rain continues across southern Taiwan. Hualien County, Taitung County and Chiayi County also announced one-day suspensions.

The closures followed forecasts from the Central Weather Administration that rainfall would reach the thresholds for work and school suspensions. Authorities continued to evacuate residents from high-risk areas as the risk of flooding, landslides and other hazards increased.

As of the afternoon of August 23, Kaohsiung had evacuated 2,203 people from mountainous areas under landslide alerts, according to the local government. Pingtung had evacuated 115 residents. Warnings were sent to mobile phones as far north as Taipei.

In the Philippines meanwhile, the Manila Standard reported that Typhoon Saudel was forecast to enter the northeastern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility on August 24 and strengthen the southwest monsoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Saudel was 1,660km east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon as of 3am. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 175kph near its centre and was moving west-northwest at 30kph.

PAGASA said Saudel would be given the local name Obet after entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility. It was expected to remain over the Philippine Sea and could intensify into a super typhoon before leaving the area and heading north towards Taiwan and southern Japan on August 25.

Batanes was forecast to receive occasional rain from the southwest monsoon. Moderate to heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods and landslides.

Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Cavite, Batangas and Rizal were forecast to experience cloudy skies, scattered rain and thunderstorms as the southwest monsoon strengthens.

Northern and western sections of Luzon were forecast to experience moderate to strong southwesterly winds and moderate to rough seas.

PAGASA was also monitoring a tropical depression 1,330km east of Southern Luzon. Tropical Depression Gaenari, formerly known as Neneng, was already outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility near Taiwan where it has brought torrential rain and triggered landslides. Like Saudel, it was expected to continue strengthening the southwest monsoon.