TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Trees and rocks cascaded across Da'an Access Road (大安聯絡道) in Miaoli's Tai'an Township (泰安鄉) Tuesday (July 29) afternoon, triggering a landslide that severed traffic flow but miraculously caused no injuries. This essential mountain route connects the indigenous villages of Shilin (士林), Meiyuan (梅園), and Xiangbi (象鼻) within Tai'an Township before extending into Taichung City's Heping District (和平區). The road serves as a lifeline for Taiwan's indigenous communities in the mountainous region.
A family narrowly escaped catastrophe during the landslide, frantically reversing their vehicle as debris tumbled around them before emerging miraculously unharmed from the terrifying ordeal. Village chiefs from Xiangbi, Meiyuan, and Shilin immediately mobilized alongside local police officers and community volunteers to begin emergency road repairs. Their swift collaborative efforts successfully restored single-lane traffic flow through the damaged mountain passage.
A second landslide simultaneously struck the access road connecting Donghe Village (東河村) in Nanzhuang Township (南庄鄉) to scenic Xiantian Lake (向天湖), approximately 500 meters (547 yards) from the village entrance. Rocks and fallen trees completely obstructed this mountain pathway Tuesday afternoon, mirroring the chaos at Da'an Access Road. Local maintenance crews seized a brief respite in the rainfall to work through the night, clearing debris and restoring limited single-lane, bidirectional traffic while comprehensive repairs continue.
Transportation authorities strongly urged motorists to exercise extreme caution and maintain patience while emergency repair crews continue working to restore complete access. The ongoing restoration efforts require careful coordination between multiple agencies and local communities. Safe passage through Taiwan's challenging mountainous terrain remains the primary concern for officials overseeing the recovery operations. ◼