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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Disasters & Emergencies

Hsinchu Flooded, Traffic Gridlocked; Mayor Kao Hung-an's Facebook Page Flooded with Complaints

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding and traffic chaos in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, disrupting commutes for many, particularly those working in the Hsinchu Science Park.
  • Residents expressed frustration, flooding Mayor Kao Hung-an's social media with demands for action and a potential holiday.
  • City officials stated they are responding to the situation, addressing drainage issues, and managing traffic, but some residents reported slow emergency responses.

Hsinchu City experienced significant disruptions Tuesday morning due to intense rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and severe traffic congestion, particularly affecting commuters heading to the Hsinchu Science Park.

Mayor, are you awake? Why not declare a holiday?

— NetizenComment on Mayor Kao Hung-an's Facebook page regarding the flooding and traffic chaos.

Torrential downpours, with hourly rainfall reaching 45 millimeters in the eastern district, inundated numerous roads. Vehicles were seen navigating through deep water, creating hazardous conditions. Key underpasses, including Taiyuan Road and Kuangfu Road, were closed due to flooding, paralyzing city traffic. Many residents voiced their anger online, flooding Mayor Kao Hung-an's Facebook page with comments questioning her response and demanding a holiday declaration.

Mayor Kao's office released a statement acknowledging the heavy rainfall and its impact on several road sections. The city government reported that relevant units were dispatched immediately to manage the situation, including traffic control, pumping operations, and inspections. A Level 3 flood disaster response center was activated, with drainage facilities, underground equipment, and emergency contractors on standby. The statement noted that flooding in the Taiyuan underpass was exacerbated by a power outage affecting the pumping system, with Taiwan Power personnel dispatched for repairs.

The city's drainage is poor and has not been cleared. Roads are flooded, and traffic is a mess.

— ResidentDescribing the impact of heavy rainfall on Hsinchu City's infrastructure and traffic.

Despite official assurances, many commuters and students described their morning journeys as a "disaster." They criticized the city's drainage infrastructure and lack of maintenance, citing issues on major roads like Zhonghua Road Section 1, Kuangfu Road, and Gongdao 5th Road. Some residents reported that calls to the city's 1999 hotline were ineffective, and even emergency services like the 119 fire department were slow to respond, with one village chief waiting an hour for assistance.

Calling 1999 is useless. Even 119 has no manpower to rescue people.

— Village ChiefExpressing frustration over the slow emergency response during the flooding.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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