Wanli River Landslide Lake Yellow Alert Lifted; Minister Visits Hualien for Disaster Preparedness

The Wanli River landslide lake in Hualien County has been downgraded from a red to a yellow alert, signaling a reduced immediate threat of overflow. However, authorities are maintaining vigilance, estimating that overflow could occur within 7 to 10 days if water levels continue to rise at a projected rate. The alert reduction was made possible by successful deployment of a water level gauge and ongoing reinforcement of local flood defenses.

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The dikes along the Wanli River to Jianying Bridge have all been raised and reinforced, which was the key factor in my decision yesterday to downgrade the alert from red to yellow.

Government officials, including Executive Yuan Minister Ji Lian-cheng, visited Hualien to inspect disaster prevention preparations. Significant efforts are being made to fortify dikes along the Wanli River, especially in areas like Lintianshan Forest Park and near Xibao Bridge, which are identified as high-risk zones for overflow impacts. These reinforcements involve using concrete blocks to raise dike heights by up to 2 meters in some sections.

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If the water storage increases by 200,000 cubic meters per day, it is estimated that overflow will occur in 7 to 10 days, and the public still needs to pay close attention.

Despite the improved alert status, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Hualien Branch emphasized that the risk of overflow persists. They are urging relevant authorities to maintain robust evacuation plans for residents, particularly vulnerable populations. The agency also advised the public to strictly adhere to prohibitions against entering the riverbed. The situation underscores the ongoing need for preparedness in disaster-prone areas, even as immediate risks appear to recede.

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The dikes along the Wanli River to Jianying Bridge have all been raised and reinforced, which was the key factor in my decision yesterday to downgrade the alert from red to yellow.