Flood Season Preparations: Forestry Agency Monitors 3 Landslide Dams and 12 High-Risk Areas

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 25. With the flood season approaching, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) of the Ministry of Agriculture recently held a 'Mountain Disaster Prevention and Preparation Meeting.' The agency will monitor three major landslide dams and 12 large-scale landslide potential areas, issuing real-time warnings based on alert mechanisms. FANCA released a press statement today noting that in response to the potential impact of typhoons and heavy rainfall during the flood season and extreme weather, it has conducted a comprehensive review of disaster prevention work. The agency has instructed regional branches to implement patrols, reporting, early warning, and response mechanisms for key items such as forest road maintenance, disaster response in high-risk landslide areas, and landslide dam monitoring. FANCA explained that it has required relevant branches to strengthen monitoring and reporting in the face of risks from mountain heavy rains. Currently, three landslide dams in national forests (Mata'an Creek in Hualien, Taigang Creek in Hsinchu, and the upper reaches of Hehuan Creek in Nantou) are being monitored using various methods to track changes in the lake areas, landslide sites, and river channels. FANCA pointed out that regional branches have completed cleaning of forest road drainage facilities before the flood season. During the season, they will initiate forest road patrols based on weather and disaster risks, strengthening inspections of road drainage, slopes, and catch basins. FANCA stated that if forest roads are blocked or closed due to typhoons, information will be disclosed immediately via its website, press releases, and Facebook. Furthermore, ongoing disaster mitigation projects have implemented occupational safety and health standards. For the 12 identified large-scale landslide potential areas, dedicated personnel have been assigned for continuous monitoring, with red and yellow alerts to be issued during typhoons as necessary. Evacuation plans and resident lists are fully prepared in coordination with local disaster prevention units.