The Central Emergency Operations Center today announced that the red alert for the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake in Hualien County, which formed in July, has been lifted, with alert and monitoring returned to normal.
Center chief coordinator Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) told a news conference that with the water level stable in the lake, dredging operations in the river ongoing, the temporary embankment strengthened, evacuation plans drafted and drills conducted, the criteria for lifting the alert have been met.
Photo: Hua Meng-ching, Taipei Times
Recovery for towns affected by the severe flooding following the overflow and collapse of the barrier lake on Sept. 23 may take three to five years, he said.
As for the new barrier lake that formed on the same creek yesterday, it overflowed at about 8:30pm, immersing the temporary bypass bridge to Guangfu Township (光復) before 10pm, the center said.
As of about 10:45pm, the water had receded below the bridge.
Currently, downstream overflows are stable with no immediate risks of the barrier lake collapsing, the center said.
Two-way traffic reopened on the bypass bridge at noon with a speed limit of 30kph. Tractor-full trailers are not allowed on the bridge.
The bridge was built along Provincial Highway No. 9 and opened on Oct. 10 to restore access to Guangfu, after it was cut off when flood water destroyed Mataian River Bridge on Sept. 23.
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