Taiwanese Township Builds Flood Defense Line with 989 Million Yuan Project

Chiayi County's Dongshi Township is bolstering its defenses against severe flooding with a comprehensive flood control project funded by Taiwan's Forward-Looking Infrastructure Development Program. The initiative, with a total investment of 989.01 million yuan, focuses on constructing a new anti-flood line in areas historically threatened by heavy rains and typhoons.

The project centers around the Xizixia Farm pumping station and detention pond system. The first phase of construction is approximately 50% complete, with the detention pond already finished. The pumping station is slated to become operational by the end of November. The second phase of the project has just commenced and is anticipated to be completed by November of next year. This phased approach aims to create an integrated water management system that combines flood detention, pumping, and regulation capabilities.

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The county government reviewed areas prone to waterlogging, and the central and local governments revised and reviewed water control projects, which are gradually showing results. We hope to free the port village, Aogu village, Xixia village, and surrounding areas from the threat of floods, allowing them to live in peace.

Once fully operational, the system will boast a total flood detention capacity of 420,000 cubic meters, equivalent to over 160 standard swimming pools. This capacity, coupled with a powerful 10 CMS (cubic meters per second) pumping station, will enable rapid drainage of accumulated water into the Liuchao drainage system during heavy rainfall. The strategy emphasizes "detention first, then pumping, then diversion" to effectively manage floodwaters.

Local officials, including Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang, have inspected the progress, emphasizing the project's role in enhancing local disaster resilience. The system is designed to significantly improve flood conditions in Port, Aogu, and Xixia villages and surrounding areas, which have long suffered from inundation. The project is expected to mitigate flooding across approximately 801 hectares during a ten-year return period storm event. Local representatives have also called for the beautification of the area around the detention pond, suggesting the inclusion of recreational spaces and native plantings.

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In the future, after the completion of the detention pond, the surrounding roads should be greened, with local discussions on plant species, and the planning of sports and recreation areas for villagers to use.