Taipei Councilor Urges City to Procure Waterproof Barriers Amid Flood Concerns

Taipei City Councilor Lin Hsing-er has called on the city government to procure waterproof barriers, suggesting they be provided to residents in flood-prone areas to mitigate damage from increasingly severe weather events. The proposal comes in response to frequent, intense rainfall causing widespread flooding, including a significant inundation in Taipei's Neihu district in June.

Lin highlighted a concerning drop in public uptake of flood prevention measures. While the city offered full subsidies for installing waterproof gates, applications fell from 1,033 households in 2024 to just 280 in 2025, with only 302 applications and 28 completed installations by July this year. Despite expanding the subsidy program to include businesses, many districts saw only single-digit applications.

Several factors contribute to the low application rate, according to Lin. Older apartment buildings often face challenges with building consensus among residents due to ownership complexities, making it difficult to install gates on main entrances. Additionally, many ground-floor tenants are renters who worry about potential impacts on access or resale value if flood prevention measures are installed.

Referencing a practice in Changhua County, Lin proposed that the city directly procure waterproof barriers, similar to sandbags but easier to transport, to lend to residents. The Department of Civil Affairs, represented by Director Chen Yung-te, acknowledged the proposal. Chen noted that while the barriers are not expensive, their effectiveness depends on flat ground and they still require sandbags for stability. He assured that the suggestion would be considered based on the specific terrain of different areas.