Hsinchu City Submerged by Record Rainfall, Second Highest in 22 Years

Hsinchu City was inundated by torrential rain, recording 328 millimeters of precipitation in a 24-hour period, marking the second-highest accumulation in 22 years. The intense rainfall transformed urban areas into a waterlogged landscape, causing extensive flooding.

The downpour, primarily concentrated between 7 and 9 a.m., saw hourly rainfall rates reaching 74.5 millimeters in some areas. This intense precipitation overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to severe waterlogging on numerous roads and in underpasses. The city's emergency services reported 176 disaster-related calls by 5 p.m., with the majority concerning road and building flooding.

Data from various monitoring stations highlighted the severity of the event. The East District station recorded 231.5 millimeters, a record high since its establishment in 2004. Several underpasses experienced critical water levels, including the Taiyuan Underpass, which saw water depths of up to 178.5 centimeters, and the Quanzhongxing Underpass at 143.1 centimeters.

City officials are assessing the damage and the effectiveness of current flood control measures. The event underscores the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather events, prompting discussions about necessary upgrades and preparedness strategies for future heavy rainfall.