Days of torrential rain in Kaohsiung have caused severe flooding, and Kuomintang mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en's vehicle stalled and left her stranded during a disaster inspection, underscoring the severity of the situation — bad news for local residents and for farmers and fishers.

• Ko Chih-en travelled to the Yuku community in Alian in the afternoon to inspect the damage. While driving along Tandi Road, the floodwater was so deep that her vehicle stalled and the doors would not open; in the end an aide helped her climb out through the front passenger window.
• The flooding was severe enough that it was impossible to tell where the farmland ended and the road began. After getting free, she waded through the water and continued with her scheduled itinerary.
• Under the influence of a low-pressure trough and southwesterly winds, 24-hour accumulated rainfall exceeded 200 millimetres in many districts of Kaohsiung, reaching 335 millimetres in Zuoying District.
• Ko Chih-en said flood management cannot rely on post-disaster rescue alone, and called for a thorough review and improvement of the drainage system as a whole.
• On losses in farming and fishing, she said she has already petitioned the Ministry of Agriculture for natural disaster relief covering all product categories, along with low-interest loans.

Outlook: If the rain continues, flooding in Kaohsiung's low-lying areas could spread further, and flood management is set to become a focal point of attack and defence in the mayoral race.