Typhoon Bavi Approaches, Hualien's Two Barrier Lakes Pose Potential Risks, Disaster Prevention Underway

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Wanli Creek barrier lake has a storage volume of approximately 3.13 million cubic meters, accounting for about 61.46% of its total capacity. If the current weather pattern persists, it is estimated that it will not fill and overflow within 6 days. Typhoon Bavi may bring significant rainfall, requiring continuous monitoring and response.

Additionally, the Mataian Creek barrier lake currently has almost no stored water. However, the dam area, collapse zone, and river channel contain approximately 240 million cubic meters of sediment, posing a potential risk of forming a new barrier lake and a large-scale downstream movement of unstable sediment.

The Ministry of Agriculture continued to hold a working meeting of the "Wanli Creek Barrier Lake Disaster Emergency Response Team" this afternoon. Based on the latest monitoring data at 1 p.m. today, the estimated storage volume of the Hualien Wanli Creek barrier lake is approximately 3.1344 million cubic meters, which is 61.46% of the total capacity of 5.1 million cubic meters. The water level continues to rise steadily, and there are still 12.55 meters remaining before reaching the potential overflow point. Based on the recent inflow rate of about 150,000 to 250,000 cubic meters per day, if the current weather pattern persists, it is estimated that it will not fill and overflow within 6 days.

The Central Weather Administration stated that Typhoon Bavi is continuing to move northwestward and is expected to be closest to Taiwan on the 10th and 11th. The storm's eyewall may bring significant rainfall to the mountainous areas of Hualien. The Administration will continue to monitor the typhoon's movement and the rainfall trends in the Wanli Creek watershed, providing the latest meteorological information to disaster prevention units for assessment and response in a timely manner.

The Forestry and Conservation Agency's Hualien Branch stated that the results of drone aerial surveillance this morning show that the water level of the Wanli Creek barrier lake continues to rise steadily, with no significant changes in the lake area or dam structure. No abnormal seepage from the dam has been detected. The agency will continue to monitor local changes through drone aerial photography and various monitoring equipment.

To enhance water level monitoring capabilities, the Forestry and Conservation Agency completed the deployment of a submersible water level gauge on June 28th. The equipment is operating normally and continuously transmitting monitoring data. Furthermore, the agency is currently purchasing an additional set of submersible buoy-type water level gauges from Japan through the Taiwan Society for Disaster Prevention, which is expected to be deployed before Typhoon Bavi affects the area, thereby increasing monitoring reliability.

In response to the approaching Typhoon Bavi, the Ministry of Agriculture reminds the Hualien County Government and the town offices of Wanrong and Fenglin to continue implementing riverbed patrols and river channel control measures, strictly prohibiting the public from entering river channels to prevent sudden overflows that could endanger lives. The Water Resources Agency stated that within 2 hours of the warning being issued, temporary earth dikes for riverbed water intake can be removed, and sluice gates can be closed to reduce disaster risks.

All disaster prevention units will continue to inventory various preparedness measures, including inspecting dikes, bridges, roads, protective facilities, shelters, flood control supplies, and evacuation mechanisms along the Wanli Creek, to ensure that all disaster prevention and response measures are maintained in optimal readiness.

Regarding the Mataian Creek barrier lake, which has also been a focus of attention, the Ministry of Agriculture pointed out that it currently has almost no stored water and has largely reverted to a river channel form. However, the dam area, collapse zone, and river channel contain approximately 240 million cubic meters of sediment, posing a potential risk of forming a new barrier lake and a large-scale downstream movement of unstable sediment.

The Forestry and Conservation Agency will continue monitoring and issue early warnings based on the latest meteorological intelligence, notifying disaster prevention units for timely response. At the same time, it requests the Hualien County Government to supervise relevant township offices to complete evacuation preparations in advance. Once a warning is issued, evacuation and shelter operations will be immediately initiated to protect the lives and safety of the public. (Editor: Hsiao Po-wen) 1150706

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