Taipei: The Alishan Forest Railway and ferry operators serving Taitung County's Green and Orchid islands announced Friday they will suspend operations in the coming days due to a tropical depression that is expected to intensify into a storm.

According to Focus Taiwan, the tropical depression near the northwestern Philippines is predicted to develop into Tropical Storm Danas as early as Friday night, marking the fourth tropical storm of the season, as reported by the Central Weather Administration (CWA). The system, currently positioned 350 kilometers southwest of Hengchun in Pingtung County, is advancing slowly in a west-northwest direction, with expectations to shift northeast on Saturday towards the Taiwan Strait, stated CWA forecaster Liu Yu-chi.

Should the tropical depression intensify into a storm by Friday night, the CWA may issue a sea warning on Saturday morning, Liu indicated. The projected path suggests the storm will significantly impact southeastern and southern Taiwan, along with the Penghu Islands.

In response, ferry operators in Taitung have declared the suspension of all trips to Green and Orchid islands on Sunday. The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office announced it will pause operations from Saturday to Tuesday, with reopening dates contingent on the storm's effects. Ticket holders are eligible for a full refund within a year of their scheduled ride, available through the office or at Ibon kiosks in 7-Eleven stores across Taiwan.

Additionally, Alishan's Hinoki Village, forest and culture park, along with several national parks in Hualien and Taitung, will remain closed until further notice. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Hualien branch has also announced the closure of Chihnan and Fuyuan national forest recreation areas, Lintian Mountain Forestry Park, Danongdafu Forest Park, and the Ruisui Ecocenter starting 8 a.m. Sunday until further notice. All national nature trails under the branch's jurisdiction will be closed during this period.

Meanwhile, the agency's Taitung branch has announced the preventive closure of Chiaming Lake and Dawu Ocean View nature trails, and Jhihben National Forest Recreation Area starting 8 a.m. Sunday. The cabin areas at Chiaming Lake and Xiangyang Mountain will close earlier, beginning Saturday afternoon.