TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hualien County officials demanded immediate action Tuesday (Oct. 7) after residents reported failing to receive critical evacuation notices during severe flooding in Guangfu Township (光復鄉). Minister Without Portfolio Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) emphasized urgent needs for revised evacuation plans and broadcasting system repairs to prevent future communication breakdowns. The communication failures highlighted dangerous gaps in Taiwan's disaster response infrastructure.
Chi highlighted the critical situation at Matai'an Landslide Lake (馬太鞍溪堰塞湖) during a disaster area press conference, where approximately 400,000 tons of water flow daily. Despite managing over 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) of rainfall, earthquake unpredictability necessitates maintaining the red alert status. Lifting the red alert requires meeting four specific criteria, including completion of a comprehensive local evacuation plan by the Hualien County Government, Taiwan's eastern regional authority.
Broadcasting systems remain crucial for evacuation plans, but Guangfu Township residents reported communication failures in late September. Chen Chien-tsun (陳建村), head of the Hualien Research and Administration Department, a regional government agency, confirmed village offices manage these critical systems. He urged the Guangfu Township Office to ensure operational systems across affected areas, including Fenglin Township (鳳林鎮) and Wanrong Township (萬榮鄉).
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's (林業保育署) Hualien Branch reported the lake's water level at 1,020 meters (3,346 feet), covering 12.6 hectares (31.1 acres) with 5.85 million tons volume. The water level dropped 119 meters (390 feet) without significant recent changes, maintaining relative stability. Despite stable natural dam conditions and consistent water flow, the red alert persists due to unstable surrounding slopes threatening continued safety. ◼