TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung City Government said Thursday that the city’s Water Resources Bureau is speeding up rainwater drain cleaning ahead of the May flood season.

The city government said the work is a key flood-prevention measure aimed at keeping drains clear of silt and garbage. Officials said densely populated areas are being prioritized.

The Water Resources Bureau said it plans to complete comprehensive cleaning before the rainy season. Follow-up inspections will be carried out after major storms or typhoons, with extra checks in flood-prone areas.

In 2025, the city cleaned about 25.6 kilometers of rainwater drains and removed roughly 8,019 cubic meters of sediment, CNA reported. Officials said the effort improved drainage efficiency.

This year’s cleaning has already been completed on roads in Xiaogang and Qianzhen districts, with work now underway in Nanzih and Gushan. The bureau said different methods, including excavators and manual labor, are being used based on local conditions.

The bureau added that Kaohsiung’s drainage monitoring system now operates 24 hours a day. Officials said the system enables rapid checks and coordination when abnormalities are detected.