Heavy Rains Devastate Xue Shan Keng Industrial Road, Cutting Off 'Giant's Hand' Tourist Spot

Continuous heavy rainfall since June 25 has severely damaged the Xue Shan Keng industrial road in Taichung City's Heping District, Taiwan. Multiple landslides have occurred, with debris and large rocks destroying protective netting and guardrails, rendering the road impassable.

The damaged road is a crucial access route for residents and visitors to the popular "Giant's Hand" scenic spot and the Xue Shan Keng hiking trail. The extensive damage, including a large landslide approximately 1.5 kilometers into the road, has prompted authorities to close the route entirely.

Officials reported that the landslide face is approximately 60 to 70 meters wide with a vertical drop of about 110 meters. The slope material remains loose, and overhead rocks are unstable. Large rocks have been observed rolling up to 40 meters, and the high water content in the soil due to the persistent rain poses a continuous risk of further collapse. Consequently, the road has been sealed off with barriers to prevent passage.

While local residents and essential agricultural traffic may be granted limited access under specific safety conditions, all other entry is prohibited during rainfall. Authorities are prioritizing the swift reconstruction of the road to restore safe passage for the mountain community. They urge the public to avoid the area and refrain from crossing barriers or entering the restricted zone for their own safety, emphasizing the ongoing instability of the mountain slopes.

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The slope material is still loose, and the overhead rocks are not yet stable.