Wanli River Landslide Lake Overflow Risk Area Identified; Fenglin Township Office Assures Rapid Evacuation

(Central News Agency reporter Li Xian-feng, Hualien County, July 7) Analysis and simulation of the Wanli River landslide lake in Hualien indicate a potential risk of levee overflow in a small section of the left bank of the Hualien River from Jianying Bridge to Zhongxing Bridge. This area has been newly added to the affected zone. As this area was previously included in the affected zone for the Mataian River landslide lake, the township office can quickly carry out evacuation.

The Ministry of Agriculture continued to hold a working meeting of the "Wanli River Landslide Lake Disaster Emergency Response Team" this afternoon. According to the latest monitoring data, the estimated water storage of the Wanli River landslide lake is approximately 3.2902 million cubic meters, accounting for 64.51% of the total reservoir capacity of 5.1 million cubic meters. The water level is continuously and steadily rising, with 11.4 meters remaining to the potential overflow point.

Due to the possibility of Typhoon Bavi bringing significant rainfall to the mountainous areas of Hualien, causing the landslide lake to overflow, the Ministry of Agriculture will issue a yellow alert if the landslide lake is estimated to overflow within 24 hours or if the Central Weather Administration issues a sea typhoon warning. A red alert will be issued if overflow is predicted within 12 hours or if a land typhoon warning is issued, at which point relevant units will implement disaster prevention and response measures.

The Central Weather Administration currently predicts that Typhoon Bavi's path is most likely to pass near the northeastern coast of Taiwan and head towards the sea north of Taiwan. The land area of Taiwan is expected to enter the storm's radius after the evening of the 10th. The Weather Administration may issue sea and land typhoon warnings starting from the daytime of the 9th.

The Ministry of Agriculture reminds local governments that as Typhoon Bavi gradually approaches, although the impact remains uncertain, they should prepare for the worst. This includes disaster prevention for the Wanli River and Mataian River landslide lakes. It is essential to accurately identify the list of protected households based on the potentially largest affected area and maintain close contact with them to facilitate immediate response upon the issuance of an alert.

For vulnerable groups, disaster prevention and rescue personnel, and transportation, detailed lists should be maintained to ensure timely evacuation and sheltering. If township offices require equipment or supplies, they can apply for assistance from the Hualien County Government or the central government to ensure sufficient capacity for evacuation, sheltering, and resettlement.

During the meeting, the team from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University addressed the potential increase in the main flow of the Hualien River due to the approaching typhoon, which could affect the river section below the confluence of the Wanli River and the Hualien River. Water hydraulic analysis and simulation revealed a potential risk of levee overflow in a small section of the left bank of the Hualien River from Jianying Bridge to Zhongxing Bridge. Therefore, this area has been newly added to the affected zone.

Fenglin Township Office stated that the newly added area was already included in the affected zone for the Mataian River landslide lake. Due to the straightforward nature of the protected objects, evacuation operations can be carried out quickly.

Regarding the high-risk flood sections of the Wanli River, the Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has completed emergency reinforcement and strengthening of the levees. However, Wanrong Township Mayor Liang Guang-ming reported that there might still be gaps in levee protection on the right bank upstream of Xibao Bridge. The Ninth River Management Office stated that they will promptly invite the township office and county government for an on-site inspection to assess the need for reinforcement.

In response to potential alerts for the landslide lake, the Water Resources Agency will remove the temporary earth dikes used for water diversion from the riverbed and close the sluice gates by 5 PM on the 8th.

Regarding transportation facilities, the Directorate General of Highways, Taiwan Railways Administration, and the Hualien County Government have established measures for preemptive bridge closures or service suspensions. Various disaster prevention units are continuously reviewing all preparedness efforts, including inspecting river defense facilities along the Wanli River and Mataian River, railway and highway bridges, evacuation and sheltering locations, and material preparations, to ensure all typhoon preparedness measures are in optimal condition. (Editor: Li Xi-chang) 1150707

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