Heavy rains cause landslides, cutting off two sections of Nantou's Provincial Highway 89

Torrential rains have battered Nantou County's Ren'ai Township, triggering landslides and debris flows that have severed traffic on Provincial Highway 89, also known as Lixing Industrial Road. The highway, notorious for its fragile geology, experienced a significant landslide at the 36.5K mark on Sunday afternoon, followed by a debris flow at the 18.2K section, where mud and rocks surged down the slope.

Both incidents have rendered the road impassable. Ren'ai Township officials reported that while clearing operations have begun at the 36.5K site, the sheer volume of debris and the instability of the slope, compounded by ongoing rainfall, necessitate waiting for improved weather conditions before repairs can commence. The 18.2K section is particularly challenging due to the high source of the collapse.

Residents and travelers needing to use this route are advised to seek alternative paths. The heavy rainfall is attributed to a梅雨 (plum rain) front that has intensified, making Ren'ai Township the area with the highest accumulated rainfall in Nantou County over the past 24 hours. The region has seen multiple instances of falling rocks and fallen trees along its mountain roads.

Contractors have been dispatched to the 36.5K site to clear the accumulated earth and rocks. However, the scale of the landslide is substantial, and the source of the collapse is situated high up the mountainside. Until the rain subsides and the weather stabilizes, rescue and repair efforts for the 18.2K section remain on hold. The township office is coordinating efforts to ensure safety and facilitate necessary detours for affected individuals.