Hsinchu flood response sparks political spat, official accuses opposition of 'politicizing disaster'

Hsinchu City faced significant flooding on June 26 following intense rainfall that dumped over 328 millimeters of rain in a 24-hour period. The downpour led to 176 reports of flooding, with the Taiyuan underpass inundated by up to 178 centimeters of water. Major roads and areas like the East Gate Elementary School were submerged, prompting widespread criticism of the city government on Mayor Kao Hung-an's social media.

However, Shih Shu-ting, the Director of the Civil Affairs Bureau, dismissed the public outcry as politically motivated. She alleged on Facebook that "DPP politicians and the Bluebirds are impatiently packaging this natural disaster into a political farce." Shih suggested that the opposition party, still smarting from electoral losses, was actively hoping for heavy rain in Hsinchu to create an excuse for criticism.

This statement drew sharp criticism from netizens and online commentators. The Facebook page "Lang Yuan Da" sarcastically remarked, "Taipei has one that 'doesn't listen,' now Hsinchu has one that 'cannot be spoken of.'" The page further mocked Shih's assertion that citizens complaining about the flood were merely "pretending" while sitting comfortably in air-conditioned offices. Netizens responded by questioning Shih's empathy, with one commenter asking if she was in her office while they braved the rain, and another pointing out that former Mayor Lin Chih-chien, whom Shih seemed to blame, had left office four years prior.

The flooding in the Taiyuan underpass, where a water pump reportedly failed to activate, exacerbated the situation and fueled the political dispute. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the city government and opposition parties, with natural disasters becoming a focal point for political accusations.