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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Disasters & Emergencies

Hualien landslide lake upgraded to 'red alert' as Typhoon Bavi looms

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A "red alert" has been issued for the Wanli Creek landslide lake in Hualien, Taiwan, due to heavy rainfall forecasts from Typhoon Bavi.
  • The Wanli Creek Bridge has had one lane closed, and residents in the danger zone are being forcibly evacuated.
  • The lake's water level is rising rapidly, reaching over 72% of its capacity, prompting authorities to prepare for a full bridge closure if overflow occurs.

Hualien, Taiwan – A "red alert" has been declared for the Wanli Creek landslide lake as Typhoon Bavi approaches, bringing with it forecasts of significant rainfall. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Hualien branch upgraded the alert level this morning due to the imminent threat of heavy downpours, particularly in the mountainous areas.

The landslide lake will rapidly increase its water level due to heavy rainfall, accelerating its filling and causing overflow in advance.

— Forestry and Nature Conservation AgencyExplaining the reason for the red alert and the potential danger.

Forecasters predict that between 200 to 300 millimeters of rain could fall in Hualien's mountains within 24 hours. This intense rainfall is expected to cause the landslide lake's water level to rise rapidly, potentially accelerating its filling and causing overflow sooner than anticipated. In response, the Directorate General of Highways has closed one lane of the Wanli Creek Bridge, leaving only a single lane for traffic. The bridge is strictly prohibited for lingering, and personnel are stationed at both ends to monitor water levels.

The lake's current water level stands at 1076.86 meters, with a stored volume of 3.69 million cubic meters, representing approximately 72.36% of its total capacity. Authorities have instructed the Fonglin Township Office and Wanrong Township Office to ensure residents within the designated danger zones are forcibly evacuated. The Hualien County Disaster Response Center has been activated at its highest level.

The Wanli Creek Bridge is closed to one lane, with only the inner lane remaining for traffic. Lingering on the bridge is strictly prohibited.

— Directorate General of HighwaysDetailing the traffic control measures implemented for safety.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and closely follow official announcements regarding the Wanli Creek landslide lake. The county government has provided a dedicated webpage and social media channels for updates. While no significant rainfall has been recorded yet, the projected precipitation over the next 24 hours could lead to the lake overflowing between tonight and tomorrow, necessitating immediate action to ensure public safety.

Residents in the danger zone are instructed to evacuate immediately and follow instructions.

— Hualien County GovernmentAnnouncing mandatory evacuation orders for affected populations.
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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