Taiwan Highway Section Closed Due to Landslide After Heavy Rains

A section of Provincial Highway 14, a crucial artery connecting Gangshan and Tianliao districts in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, has been partially closed due to a landslide. The incident occurred after prolonged heavy rainfall eroded the slope, causing ground subsidence and damaging the road surface at kilometer 5 in Tianliao District.

The Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau confirmed on August 27 that half of the roadway was immediately closed on August 26. Emergency measures, including the installation of guardrails, were put in place to manage traffic flow. Local officials and community leaders were promptly notified, and public broadcast warnings were issued.

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Continuous, intense short-duration rainfall has scoured the slope, causing it to slide and the road surface to subside and be damaged.

The bureau stated that the continuous, intense rainfall saturated the soil, leading to the slope's movement. While half the road remains open to traffic, the affected section is considered unsafe. The incident will be reported for central government disaster recovery funding, with repairs to the retaining wall and road surface projected for completion by the end of the year.

Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution when passing through the area and to stay informed about weather forecasts and road conditions, especially during the current typhoon season. The partial closure is expected to cause inconvenience for commuters and transport between the two districts until repairs are finalized.

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We have already closed half of the road lanes and installed guardrails for traffic control.