Heavy Rain Causes Widespread Flooding in New Taipei City; Emergency Center Activated

(Central News Agency reporters Wang Hong-guo and Huang Xu-sheng, New Taipei City, June 4) New Taipei City experienced thunderstorms and heavy rainfall on the afternoon of today, causing widespread flooding in several areas. The city government's disaster response center was upgraded to Level 3 activation, but as the rain gradually subsided, most of the floodwaters receded.

Thunderstorms hit New Taipei City in the afternoon. Following the heavy rainfall, the city's disaster response center was activated, urging residents in low-lying areas to beware of flooding and those in mountainous areas to be cautious of sudden heavy rain, rising river levels, and landslides, and to prioritize their safety.

This heavy rain caused flooding on several roads, including Minsheng Road in Banqiao, Siyuan Road and Fuxing Road in Xinzhuang, and Ziqiang Road and Ren'ai Street in Sanchong. The High Riverbank Management Office stated that the No. 6 levee road of the Erchong Floodway had accumulated about 30 to 50 centimeters of water earlier and was temporarily closed. It reopened for traffic around 8:20 PM after the water receded.

The Water Resources Department explained that due to the influence of a southwest wind and a frontal system, intense short-duration rainfall occurred in the afternoon. The maximum rainfall in Sanchong and Luzhou reached 18.5mm in 10 minutes and a cumulative 50mm in 30 minutes. This caused drainage systems on roads like Luzhou's Huanti Boulevard and Fuxing Road, and Sanchong's Ziqiang Road Section 3 to be overwhelmed, leading to flooding.

The Water Resources Department stated that floodwaters receded within 15 minutes after the heavy rain subsided. To ensure drainage facilities are free of silt or obstructions, personnel will be dispatched tomorrow to inspect drainage facilities along the flooded sections. Any obstructions found will be removed immediately.

DPP councilor Shih Yi-you noted that flooding occurred on Minsheng Road in front of the Banqiao Xinpu Minsheng Station of the Circular Line, heading towards Zhonghe, with water even entering the arcades and shops. He suspected the cause might be related to the suspension of a nearby underground pedestrian walkway project, where the excavated road surface was backfilled to a height higher than the arcade level, causing water to flow into the buildings. Sandbags have been placed, and he will convene relevant units for a site inspection tomorrow to find a solution to the flooding and prevent public concern. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 115-06-04