HUALIEN COUNTY, Taiwan — Torrential rains from a powerful storm caused a barrier lake in Hualien County to overflow, unleashing sudden floods that swamped roads, homes, and farmland across several townships. Officials on Thursday revised the death toll down from 17, citing duplicated reports during the initial emergency phase. Authorities cautioned that the figure could change as search-and-rescue operations continue and the missing are accounted for.
With waters receding in parts of Hualien, recovery crews have begun clearing thick mud and debris from roads, bridges, and public buildings to restore access for ambulances, utility teams, and supply trucks. Heavy equipment is being used to stabilize embankments and reopen key arteries, while engineers inspect damaged culverts and drainage channels to reduce the risk of renewed flooding from lingering runoff.
Firefighters and military personnel are conducting grid searches along riverbanks and in low-lying neighborhoods hit by rapid inundation when the barrier lake spilled over. Drone teams are assisting with aerial assessments to spot stranded residents and map damaged infrastructure, while divers and swift-water specialists probe blocked waterways and culverts.
Emergency shelters remain open for displaced families, with local governments distributing water, food, bedding, and hygiene kits. Power and telecommunications have been restored to many communities, but intermittent outages persist in hard-to-reach areas. Public health officials urged residents returning to flooded homes to boil water, avoid contact with contaminated mud, and report structural damage.
Meteorologists warned of secondary hazards, including landslides on saturated slopes and sudden rises in streams as upstream debris dams shift. Authorities urged the public to heed evacuation orders, keep clear of riverbanks, and monitor official alerts.
While the downward revision of fatalities eased earlier fears, officials stressed that the casualty count may rise as teams gain access to isolated hamlets and reconcile missing persons lists compiled during the storm’s peak. For now, the priority is restoring access, locating the missing, and preventing follow-on disasters as Hualien transitions from emergency response to early recovery.
