TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Flooding in Mingli Village in Hualien County's Wanrong Township has worsened as water from Mataian River continues to overflow due to rains from Tropical Storm Fung-wong and a northeast monsoon.
The river overflowed its left bank on Monday evening, inundating the village, per Liberty Times. Two days later, floodwaters show no sign of receding, with repeated surges from mountain runoff.
Aerial footage shows currents spilling north along Provincial Highway 9. Large areas remain covered in thick mud.
The Water Resources Agency is working to block the flow with concrete blocks, but high water levels have made operations difficult. Flood barriers have also been set up along Highway 9 and nearby areas to protect Wanrong Junior High School and the railway system.
On Wednesday morning, the flooding was caused by sediment buildup in the Mataian River riverbed, with water overflowing about two kilometers upstream of the Mataian temporary bridge. The water then flowed along farm roads into Mingli Village and a rice seedling center, inundating sections of Provincial Highway 9.
Preliminary estimates show 19 households were affected. Residents have been evacuated, with no casualties reported.
The overflow affected an estimated 103.5 hectares of land, including 17.5 hectares of Indigenous reserve land and 86 hectares of farmland. Fifty-eight people were evacuated, 25 staying with relatives and 33 relocated to the Wanrong Elementary School activity center.
