Neihu floods after heavy rain; councilor had warned of reduced drain cleaning

Severe flooding in Taipei's Neihu district following heavy rains has intensified criticism of the city government's response. Mayor Chiang Wan-an faces public backlash as residents question the administration's preparedness and efficiency.

Adding to the public's frustration, a video resurfaced showing Taipei City Councilor Ho Meng-hua questioning the city's drainage maintenance in May. During a council session, Ho presented data indicating a significant decrease in the cleaning of Taipei's side drains since 2020. She highlighted that the length of cleaned drains had decreased by an average of 40% between 2023 and 2025, the number of cleaning cycles dropped by 44%, and the amount of removed silt fell by 10%.

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Roads are flat, lights are on, and drains are clear. But why has the amount of drain cleaning decreased?

Ho Meng-hua's earlier warnings about reduced drain cleaning have led many netizens to label her a "prophet." Comments on social media express disbelief that the city government seemingly ignored her advice, directly linking the lack of maintenance to the recent flooding. The situation has been exacerbated by remarks from the Taipei Public Works Department suggesting residents should help clear drain grates before heavy rain, further angering citizens who feel the government is shirking its responsibility.

The controversy has fueled public discontent, with many questioning the city's priorities and preparedness for extreme weather events. The contrast between the administration's actions and the clear warnings provided by council members like Ho Meng-hua has become a focal point of the public's criticism.

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Have you actually cleaned the drains? The amount of silt removed has decreased so much. Give the citizens an explanation!