Taipei: Heavy rain brought by a low-pressure system and strong southwesterly winds has caused widespread flooding, landslides, and road damage across central, southern, and eastern Taiwan. Rail travel disruptions, mass evacuations, and one missing person have been reported.
According to Focus Taiwan, more than 4,000 residents have been evacuated from high-risk mountain areas, primarily in Kaohsiung and Pingtung County. In Kaohsiung, continuous downpours resulted in road collapses in Qianzhen, Renwu, and Gangshan districts, creating sinkholes and potholes that affected vehicle movement. In Tianliao District, a landslide stranded over 30 residents until clearance operations could commence.
Pingtung County has experienced severe flooding, particularly in Wandan, Chaozhou, and Donggang townships, where water levels reached thigh-high on major roads. Evacuations were ordered for 713 residents across eight townships, with some finding shelter in local facilities and others staying with relatives. Flooding forced traffic controls in Donggang, and agricultural operations were disrupted in Wandan.
In Tainan, rainfall exceeded 400 millimeters in Yongkang and Rende districts, causing the Sanye River to overflow and resulting in road closures. An Nan Hospital faced inundated roads, and firefighters used inflatable boats to assist around 200 people. A historic site, the Great East Gate, suffered damage due to rainwater. The city government evacuated 567 residents as a precaution due to debris-flow alerts.
In Hualien, heavy rainfall led to the washing away of a temporary access road, and authorities are searching for a missing hospital security guard. Several mountain roads and bridge crossings were closed as a precaution, and water levels at Wanli Creek barrier lake dropped significantly. Despite this, a red alert remains in place.
The Agriculture Ministry's agency issued alerts for potential debris-flow streams and landslide sites across multiple regions. Transportation services were heavily impacted, with express trains on the Eastern Line and South Link Line suspended. The Water Resources Agency received numerous flooding reports, with significant drainage progress achieved through the deployment of large pumping machines. The agency continues to monitor regional water supplies as Typhoon Saudel approaches Taiwan.