A newly formed barrier lake on the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) overflowed at about 1pm today, earlier than initially expected, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s Hualien branch said today.
The Hualien County Government announced suspension of work and class in Guangfu Township (光復) starting at 1pm today and began relocation and vertical evacuation as previously planned.
Water reached downstream areas in Wanrong Township (萬榮) at about 1:40pm, the branch said, earlier than initially forecast at 4pm.
Photo courtesy of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s Hualien branch
A survey conducted at about 2am found that the right bank of the barrier lake was unstable and collapsing, with the formation of another barrier lake confirmed at 6am by an aerial survey, Hualien office head Huang Chun-tse (黃群策) said.
The newly formed barrier lake is about 300m downstream from the overflow outlet of the original Mataian River barrier lake, between the original barrier lake and another that formed on Oct. 21, he said.
Meanwhile, the Executive Yuan today approved a special budget to support disaster recovery and reconstruction following flooding in Hualien County caused by the original lake overflow.
The government is seeking a budget of NT$27 billion (US$870 million) for systematic management of the Mataian River and Hualien River water systems, reconstruction of the Mataian River bridge, monitoring the barrier lake, sediment control projects and transitional housing for disaster victims, it said.
The Cabinet originally sought a budget of NT$25 billion to support areas affected by the barrier lake overflow included in amendments to the Typhoon Danas relief budget.
However, the Legislative Yuan on Oct. 31 passed the third reading of a separate special bill that raises the budget ceiling to NT$30 billion for Hualien disaster relief.
According to the newly passed special act, the barrier lake special budget passed by the Cabinet today is to seek NT$27 billion, with an additional NT$3 billion reserved for rolling adjustments.
The draft bill would be sent to the legislature for review.
According to the special budget bill, the Ministry of Economic Affairs would oversee NT$9.1 billion that would be used for managing water systems, enhancing power grid resilience, repairing damaged water supply facilities, reducing water and electricity fees for affected households, and subsidizing loan interest for local businesses.
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