Red Alert Issued for Taiwan Landslide Lake; Residents Evacuated

A red alert was issued for the Wanli Creek landslide lake in Hualien, Taiwan, raising fears of a potential overflow within the next 24 hours. The alert prompted the evacuation of 185 residents and two cats from six villages across Fenglin Township and Wanrong Township, as authorities scrambled to manage the escalating crisis.

The situation escalated rapidly after the lake was placed under a yellow alert twice in the morning. By noon, the Ministry of Agriculture convened a central disaster response center, upgrading the alert to red. The warning siren, mimicking a "tsunami alert," sounded repeatedly, causing anxiety among the local population.

Authorities have taken stringent measures, including closing key bridges like Jianying Bridge and Xibao Bridge, and a section of Provincial Highway 9. The Taiwan Railways Administration is also monitoring the Wanli Creek railway bridge. The Fenglin ultra-high voltage substation, critical for power transmission to the east, is being sandbagged as a protective measure against potential flooding.

As of late evening, the landslide lake's water storage had reached 50% of its maximum capacity, with forecasts indicating continued rainfall. The red alert remains in effect, emphasizing the ongoing danger and the need for residents to stay away from the affected areas. The local government has established a forward command post to oversee the mandatory evacuations and ensure no residents remain within the high-risk zones.