Typhoon Bawei Nears Taiwan; Ministry Activates Full Disaster Response for Wanli River Landslide Lake

As Typhoon Bawei nears Taiwan, the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a full-scale disaster prevention response for the Wanli River landslide lake. The lake's water storage is currently estimated at approximately 3.13 million cubic meters, representing 61.46% of its total capacity, and its water level is steadily increasing. Officials noted that the water level is still 12.55 meters below the potential overflow point.

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The water storage is estimated at approximately 31.344 million cubic meters, about 61.46% of the total capacity, and the water level is steadily rising, still 12.55 meters away from the potential overflow point.

The Central Weather Administration forecasts that Bawei will move northwestward and approach Taiwan most closely on Friday and Saturday, potentially bringing significant rainfall to Hualien's mountainous areas. The ministry is closely monitoring the typhoon's trajectory and rainfall trends in the Wanli River catchment area.

Drone surveillance on July 6 indicated that the lake's water level continues to rise steadily, with no significant changes observed in the lake or dam structure, nor any abnormal seepage. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has deployed a submersible water level meter and is acquiring additional floating water level meters from Japan to enhance monitoring reliability before the typhoon makes landfall.

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The storm's eye is expected to bring significant rainfall to the mountainous areas of Hualien.

In preparation for the typhoon, the Ministry of Agriculture is reminding the Hualien County Government and local townships to enforce riverbed patrols and access controls, prohibiting public entry into the river to prevent casualties from sudden overflows. The Water Resources Agency will remove temporary earth dams used for water intake and close sluice gates within two hours of an alert to mitigate risks. Disaster prevention units are also reviewing emergency preparedness, including embankments, bridges, roads, protective facilities, shelters, supplies, and evacuation plans along the Wanli River.

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The lake area and dam structure have shown no significant changes, and no abnormal seepage has been observed.

Regarding the Mataian Creek landslide lake, the ministry reported it has minimal water storage and has largely reverted to a river channel form. However, the area still contains an estimated 240 million cubic meters of sediment, posing a potential risk of new landslide lake formation and downstream sediment movement. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency will continue monitoring this site for timely response and has requested the Hualien County Government to oversee relevant townships in completing evacuation preparations to safeguard public safety.

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Strictly prohibit the public from entering the riverbed to prevent sudden overflows that could endanger lives.