Floodwaters from the overflowing Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake swept into Hualien County’s Guangfu Township (光復) yesterday afternoon, leaving hundreds of people trapped and three missing as of press time last night, the Hualien County Fire Bureau said.
The waters surged into downtown Guangfu after the riverbank burst at about 2:50pm, carrying mud and debris and submerging streets to rooftop level in some areas.
Residents were seen climbing onto vehicles and rooftops to await rescue as thick, silt-laden water inundated the town.
Photo: CNA
The surge destroyed the Mataian Bridge (馬太鞍溪橋) and flooded the Guangfu Railway Station.
Rescue operations were launched with support from fire departments in Taipei, New Taipei City and Taitung, as well as civilian groups that provided boats.
Officials urged residents to move to higher floors if possible, while search-and-rescue teams prioritized those trapped at ground level.
Photo courtesy of a member of the public
A Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) meeting yesterday morning had determined that the Mataian River barrier lake in Wanrong Township (萬榮) might overflow, prompting evacuations, creek clearance and close monitoring.
Barrier lakes form when debris, landslides or other blockages create temporary dams along rivers.
Authorities said last night that two critically ill people died after they were unable to receive timely medical care due to flooding.
Photo courtesy of a member of the public
Separately, the land warning for Typhoon Ragasa was lifted at 8:30am yesterday, while the sea warning was lifted at 8:30pm.
The CEOC reported a total of 221 disasters nationwide, resulting in two deaths, 30 missing and 28 injuries. In response to the collapse of the Matai Anxi Bridge, the Highway Bureau has developed alternative routes.
The injured were in Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Hualien County, Taitung and outlying Penghu County.
Of the 8,524 residents in the area, 167 have been housed in three shelters, 3,118 sought refuge with family and friends, while the other 5,239 relocated to higher ground, the center said.
Meanwhile, landslide and mudslide warnings have been issued in Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and Pingtung counties.
In Taitung, a suspected tornado tore off tin roofs and blew over road signs early yesterday morning, a local resident said.
Driftwood was seen scattered over Taitung City Seaside Park.
In Pingtung County’s Liouciou Township (琉球), off the southwestern coast, a resident posted a video in a local Facebook group showing driftwood piled up along the Houshi Fringing Reef section of the island’s highway, blocking traffic.
Liouciou Township Councilor Hung Wen-liang (洪文良) said that although wind and rain were not especially strong on Monday night, waves were high and swept driftwood onto the road.
The waves swept up a lot of driftwood previously caught in the reefs and were hard to clean off during the storms of Typhoon Podul, which hit Taiwan last month, he said.
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