Not Umbrellas or Raincoats! In Southern Taiwan, Heavy Rains Cause a Run on 'One Item' Until It's Sold Out: First Purchase in 42 Years of Life

Recently, continuous heavy rainfall in southern Taiwan has left both indoor and outdoor spaces damp and uncomfortable. A blogger visiting a retail store was shocked to find dehumidifiers completely sold out and shared photos online, commenting it was the 'first time in my life seeing dehumidifiers run out of stock in Kaohsiung,' sparking widespread discussion.

The blogger, 'Kaohsiung Food & Travel – Princess Diaozui,' posted photos in a personal Facebook group showing empty shelves in the home appliance section where dehumidifiers were once displayed. Due to the prolonged rainy weather, all units had been purchased, leaving only display models. She expressed disbelief, stating, 'First time in my life seeing dehumidifiers sell out in Kaohsiung,' calling it 'incredible.'

Many Kaohsiung residents commented, confirming the extreme humidity. One user said, 'The weather has been so humid lately, we’ve been using two dehumidifiers non-stop for weeks, emptying at least two buckets daily… It’s been raining non-stop from summer into autumn.' Another shared, 'We have two 19-liter units; we empty them multiple times a day. They dry clothes too—very convenient.' Others remarked, 'This rain in Kaohsiung is unreal,' and 'I’ve started doubting life itself with all this rain… Thank goodness for dehumidifiers drying our clothes.'

Some admitted, 'Just placed an order—I had no choice. Wooden furniture is starting to mold.' Others said, 'I already had one, but with the rain lasting so long, I bought a second one last Sunday.'

Several users joked, 'Glad I bought mine early,' and 'Lived in Kaohsiung for 42 years and just ordered my first dehumidifier—I can’t take it anymore.' One commented, 'I suspect by the time I get mine, the rain will have stopped.' Others added, 'Kaohsiung is basically molding,' 'They fill up so fast,' and 'Self-service dryers haven’t stopped running.'