New Barrier Lake Threatens Hualien

REPORTER:  

Just weeks after a township in eastern Taiwan was flooded when a barrier lake burst its banks upstream, a new one has now formed in the northern part of Hualien County. Fearing another disaster, police have cleared tourists and closed roads, while the government has ordered nearby residents to evacuate.

REPORTER:  

Hualien County is once again on high alert as a newly formed barrier lake poses a serious risk of overflowing.

REPORTER:  

A landslide in the county’s Xiulin Township has formed a natural dam nearly 20 meters tall. And water levels are rising rapidly, sparking fears that it could overflow or burst.

REPORTER:  

Local officials say they’ve taken preventive measures.

We have notified the Eastern Power Plant to make contingency preparations. We have also informed the Xiulin Township Office. A preventive evacuation is currently underway in the Minle community area.

REPORTER:  

Besides the evacuation, excavators have been deployed to clear the blockage, but the water level is rising too quickly for crews to keep up.

REPORTER:  

Police have been patrolling and broadcasting warnings to assist with evacuations, while authorities are sending alerts to residents within the danger zone.

REPORTER:  

About 500 people living in low-lying areas downstream of the new barrier lake have been advised to relocate to a nearby company dorm and elementary school.

One local resident says the water level in the dam is unprecedented.  

Of course, there’s definitely some concern because past typhoons didn’t reach this area and now there's the water level in the barrier lake to worry about.

REPORTER:  

The highest alert remains in effect around the Mataian River barrier lake in Guangfu Township -- which burst its banks last month, killing 19 people. Officials say they’ve strengthened the levees and cleared the riverbed to prevent further disasters.

Besides the temporary levees that have already been completed they need to be further reinforced and if necessary, raised or upgraded to super levees. As for the upstream area planning is currently underway to build a series of check dams.

REPORTER:  

With a new typhoon forming near Taiwan and the northeast monsoon set to reach the country, the combined effects are expected to bring heavy rainfall over the coming week. Disaster prevention efforts are more critical than ever in flood-hit Hualien.