Taiwan's Pingtung County is shutting down for a day because of dangerous rainfall, a disruption for workers and students but a safety call for a county facing flood risk.

• Offices and schools across Pingtung will be closed Sunday, August 23.
• A low-pressure system and southwest winds are dumping heavy rain across the whole county.
• Officials warn the rain is strong enough to cause real damage and threaten lives and property.
• People are being told to stay home unless they have to go out, and to prepare for flooding now.

Outlook: The closure buys time for emergency crews, but the rain band is expected to keep soaking southern Taiwan, so more disruptions are likely.