Hualien landslide dam water level drops 4.7 meters amid red alert

A significant change occurred at the Wanli Creek landslide dam in Hualien early on August 24, as the water level dropped dramatically. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Hualien Branch reported that the dam began to "cut down" around 1 a.m., causing the water level to fall by 4.7 meters within just four hours. This rapid outflow reduced the lake's stored water volume from its peak to 5.5157 million cubic meters, with approximately 1 million cubic meters having flowed out.

The rate of the water level drop temporarily slowed by the morning, but authorities are maintaining a red alert for the river channel and a yellow alert for areas outside the channel due to persistent risks downstream. Residents are strongly urged not to enter the river channel or the alert zones.

Monitoring data showed that heavy rainfall overnight had caused the lake's water level to rise, reaching a high point of 1092.32 meters around 1:20 a.m., nearing the dam's historical maximum water level. The subsequent drop brought the level down to 1088.41 meters by 5 a.m. While the outflow has temporarily eased, the situation remains precarious, especially with significant rainfall still predicted.

Forecasting models initially indicated substantial rainfall, but updated predictions from the Central Weather Administration suggest a decrease. Despite the temporary stabilization, the agency emphasizes that risks are concentrated within the river channel. The red alert affects critical infrastructure, including water intake facilities, a water purification plant, river defense structures, construction sites, and several bridges. The yellow alert covers nearby villages and settlements. Local authorities are continuing with precautionary evacuations, prioritizing vulnerable individuals, and preparing evacuation shelters.