Heavy rain in southern Hualien washes out Yuchang and Luntian temporary roads
Torrential rain from a tropical depression has cut off roads in southern Hualien County, Taiwan, and one man is missing — bad news for residents and travelers in Fuli and Yuli.
- More than 300mm of rain fell in a single day on Fuli and Yuli townships, swelling rivers and destroying road surfaces.
- The Luntian temporary road is fully closed after floodwaters tore away the roadbed; the Yuchang temporary road was also washed out.
- A security guard riding a scooter to work at a hospital is believed to have been swept away, and crews are still searching the Xiuguluan River and its tributaries.
- A landslide blocked the Liushishi Mountain road before emergency crews reopened it, but falling rocks are still a danger.
- The Yuchang temporary road only existed because the main bridge was damaged in the 2022 earthquake and never fully replaced.
Outlook: Local officials are assessing repairs, but more rain upstream could send rivers surging again and keep the closures in place.