Hualien's Fuli sees over 300mm rain; 6 roads closed, some rail service halted

Fuli Township in Taiwan's Hualien County is experiencing severe disruption due to torrential rainfall, with accumulated precipitation exceeding 300 millimeters in a single day. The heavy downpour has led to preemptive traffic control measures and significant transportation halts.

Authorities have closed six critical road sections, including parts of Provincial Highway 23 (Dongfu Highway) between kilometers 7 and 16, and access roads to the Luntian, Changliang, and Mingli bridges. Additionally, the road to the Yuchang Bridge and the industrial road leading to Sixty Stone Mountain are also closed. The road leading up to Chike Mountain was scheduled for closure on the morning of August 24th.

These closures have effectively cut off access to many local and mountainous areas within Fuli Township. The measures are being taken as a precaution against potential landslides and flooding, given the intense rainfall.

In response to the weather emergency, Taiwan Railways has suspended multiple scheduled trains on its Eastern and South-Link lines. Services operating between Taipei and Hualien, and Hualien and Taitung, have been affected. Non-scheduled trains will operate based on rainfall conditions. Passengers holding tickets for suspended services can obtain full refunds within one year. The railway company is also allowing standing room tickets for certain trains on the North-Link line. Officials are urging residents and tourists to monitor weather updates and avoid non-essential travel to mountainous and closed areas to ensure safety.

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As the rainfall continues to intensify, we urge fellow residents and tourists to pay close attention to the latest traffic and weather information. Please avoid entering mountainous areas and already closed sections unless absolutely necessary to ensure your safety.