KMT Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩), the party’s Kaohsiung mayoral candidate, had been scheduled to appear on Friday with former Taiwan People’s Party Chair Ko Wen-je at a local temple. The event was canceled after discussions between the two sides, with organizers saying disaster response and public safety would come first. The DPP candidate, Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆), visited flood-control sites early Thursday, including the Zhenzhou Pumping Station (鎮州抽水站) in Cianjhen District (前鎮區) and the Baoye Borough detention pond in Sanmin District (三民區).
The Kaohsiung City Government (高雄市政府) said rainfall in Meinong (美濃), Dashu (大樹), Cishan (旗山), and other districts exceeded 500 mm, while several urban and low-lying areas recorded more than 350 mm. The Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) said short bursts of heavy rain remained possible Thursday.
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On Friday, the husband of the victim, surnamed Li, and their three children returned to the crash site to perform a traditional seventh-day spirit-calling ritual, which in Taiwanese mourning customs marks the first week after a death. Witnesses said the children called out for their mother to come home while kneeling beside her memorial tablet.
Nantzikeng Sports Center (楠仔坑運動中心) in Nanzih District (楠梓) began trial operations Sunday. During the trial period, the center is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The fitness center and swimming pool are closed for cleaning from noon to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Kaohsiung officials say the Christmas Festival at Central Park now ranks as southern Taiwan’s largest year-end cultural gathering.
According to the city, the redesign includes a pedestrian refuge island, widened sidewalk space, and lane adjustments intended to improve both traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
