By KHT Staff. Photo via Liberty Times.
KAOHSIUNG — The City Government has upgraded its flood response center to Level 2 as a stationary front and southwest airflow threaten to bring intense rainfall to southern Taiwan.
The city said the Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) forecast short-duration heavy rainfall from Monday to Tuesday, with 24-hour accumulated rainfall in mountain areas possibly exceeding 350 millimeters. The flood response center was raised from Level 3 to Level 2 at noon Sunday, with the Water Resources Bureau, Fire Department, and other agencies stationed to monitor rainfall, water levels, and possible disasters.
The city said disaster-prevention units had completed preparations and were strengthening monitoring of flood-prone areas, drainage systems, and major flood-control facilities.
The warning comes as five mountain districts suspended work and classes Tuesday: Taoyuan District (桃源區), Liouguei District (六龜區), Namasia District (那瑪夏區), Maolin District (茂林區) and Jiasian District (甲仙區).
Officials said prolonged rain could trigger flooding in low-lying areas, rapidly rising streams, road closures, landslides, and other slope-related hazards.
The Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Agency placed 68 debris-flow-prone streams in Kaohsiung under yellow alert, including 18 in Taoyuan, 14 in Namasia, and 36 in Liouguei. Two areas in Liouguei, Xinglong Village (興龍里) and Sinfa Village (新發里), were also placed under yellow alert for potential large-scale landslides.
The city said 1,681 residents from affected mountain districts had been evacuated by Monday evening as a precaution.
In Fongshan District (鳳山), heavy rain also opened a large hole on Fucheng 2nd Street (福誠二街), Liberty Times reported. The hole measured approximately 3.5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 2 meters in depth.
The Water Resources Bureau urged residents to follow weather and disaster-prevention updates, inspect their drainage and waterproofing systems around their homes, and avoid rivers, beaches, and mountainous areas during the rain event.
