Taiwan Approves Emergency Water Diversion for Hualien Farmland After Landslide Lake Disrupts Supply

Farmers in Hualien's Fenglin and Wanrong areas face a critical water shortage, with two major irrigation systems, Lintian and Wanrong canals, cut off for a month. The disruption stems from a barrier lake formed on the Wanli River on May 21, which forced the Irrigation Agency to close the water gates to prevent flooding. Although the gates were briefly reopened, they were shut again due to Typhoon Ba-wei.

The Ministry of Agriculture convened an emergency response meeting and, based on drone and water level monitoring, determined the barrier lake is stable with no immediate signs of collapse. The ministry has now approved the Irrigation Agency to proceed with emergency construction to divert water from the riverbed, aiming to restore irrigation supply to nearly 600 hectares of farmland. This work will be conducted during daylight hours, with compressed timelines and strict safety protocols, including real-time communication and evacuation procedures.

Safety remains a priority, with a 24-hour red alert in effect for the Wanli River. Local authorities are patrolling to enforce restrictions. The decision to allow water diversion comes as farmers prepare for the second rice planting season, currently stalled by the lack of water. Additionally, discussions addressed potential disruptions to emergency services caused by nightly road closures near Xibao Bridge, with a flexible response mechanism being considered for rescue vehicles if water levels remain safe.