TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A newly formed barrier lake on the Mataian Creek in Hualien County is expected to overflow around 4 p.m. Thursday, prompting authorities to suspend work and classes in Guangfu Township from 1 p.m. onward.

The Hualien County government had initially announced on Wednesday evening that work and classes in Guangfu Township would resume on Thursday, per Liberty Times. However, aerial footage from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) early Thursday morning revealed a new landslide dam about 300 meters downstream from the existing one.

At 12:50 p.m., Hualien County issued an urgent alert notifying residents of the suspension. Some evacuees expressed frustration that those who had traveled from other counties to return to work were now being told to evacuate.

According to the FANCA Hualien Branch notification at 12:30 p.m., the barrier lake is expected to overflow at 4 p.m. Residents are instructed to follow the original evacuation plan, leave the warning zone, and ensure proper sheltering or vertical evacuation.