Hualien New Barrier Lake Faces Overflow Risk Within 20 Days; Evacuations Designated

Taipei, June 23 (CNA) A newly discovered barrier lake upstream of the Wanli River in Hualien County faces an overflow risk within 10 to 20 days, with the possibility of an earlier occurrence if heavy rain occurs, according to Administrative Executive Minister Chi Lien-cheng on Sunday. He stated that residents in designated alert areas have been notified to evacuate preventatively at a set time.

The Hualien Forest District Office of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency discovered the new barrier lake upstream of the Wanli River. Aerial surveys indicated a collapse area of approximately 45 hectares. The lake water has not yet reached overflow levels, and no significant seepage or dam damage has been observed, though sporadic rockfalls continue.

During a radio interview on Sunday, Chi Lien-cheng explained that the barrier lake is located upstream of the Wanli River Bridge on Provincial Highway 9, about 20 kilometers from Wanrong Township and at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. Preliminary estimates suggest a maximum storage capacity of up to 6 million cubic meters, with an overflow risk projected within 10 to 20 days, and potentially sooner with heavy rainfall.

Chi Lien-cheng mentioned that the Hualien Forest District Office has established an emergency response team and invited a research team from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University for analysis and assessment. Residents in designated alert areas have also been notified to evacuate preventatively at a set time. He plans to visit Hualien next week to provide disaster prevention guidance.

He clarified that overflow is different from dam failure. After an overflow, the impact of the water level could cause the dam to collapse. The release of just 1.5 million cubic meters of water could have an impact, with Mingli Village in Wanrong Township being the first to be affected. Evacuations are planned in two phases, with preventative evacuations currently underway, followed by emergency evacuations after the overflow. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150623

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