Typhoon Approaches, Water Resources Agency Strengthens Flood Control for Hualien's Mataian and Wanli Rivers

(CNA reporter Chang Chi, Hualien County, July 8) As Typhoon Bavi approaches, potentially bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to the Hualien region, the Ninth River Management Office of the Water Resources Agency has designated the Mataian and Wanli Rivers as key flood control areas. Preparations include raising and reinforcing dikes and revetments, and deploying large mobile water pumps.

During routine monitoring of the Mataian River on June 21, the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency discovered a new landslide-induced barrier lake upstream of the Wanli River to the north.

Monitoring by the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency shows that as of 8 a.m. today, the Wanli River barrier lake has accumulated 3.41 million cubic meters of water, accounting for 66.86% of its maximum capacity of 5.1 million cubic meters. The water level continues to rise steadily, and aerial imagery indicates no significant seepage from the dam body.

The Ninth River Management Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Water Resources Agency stated that flood control emergency engineering for the Wanli River has been completed. This includes protection for the dike heads of the Lintianshan Dike and Fonglin No. 2 Dike. The height of the Lintianshan Dike crest, Fongrong No. 1 Dike, and revetments downstream of the railway and highway bridges have been raised. 165 five-ton flood control blocks have been placed in front of the Shanxing Dike to strengthen protection against direct river flow in the straightened section.

For the Mataian River, its flood discharge capacity has been restored to a 100-year return period. Six large mobile water pumps have been deployed, and the county-managed four drainage systems have completed their flood control preparations. Inspections of the gaps in the steel temporary bridges by the Directorate-General of Highways have also been conducted.

The Ninth River Management Office stated that it has completed the inventory of flood control hotspots within its jurisdiction. Water conditions are being monitored through CCTV, water level stations, and rain gauges, with daily water situation reports. Communication with local governments and disaster prevention and rescue units has been strengthened. The flood control response level will be raised as necessary to engage in flood control and emergency rescue operations.

Based on rainfall forecasts, the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency issued two yellow alerts and one red alert for the Wanli River barrier lake on June 25 and 27. Approximately 70 households and over 180 residents in the downstream areas of Wanrong Township and Fonglin Town were evacuated. Due to the potential for significant rainfall from Typhoon Bavi, the Ministry of Agriculture will also issue barrier lake alerts based on rainfall estimates and typhoon warnings. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 0708

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