Typhoon Khanun triggers landslides on Kaohsiung’s highway

KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Heavy rainfall led to widespread landslides in Kaohsiung on Tuesday (Aug. 8) as Typhoon Khanun brought a lingering air mass to southwestern Taiwan.

A large amount of debris came crashing down near the east entrance of the Meilanming tunnel on the Southern Cross-Island Highway (Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 20) around 10 a.m., swallowing it within a minute.

Following the incident, the Directorate General of Highway, under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), swiftly closed off the affected routes, urging the public to refrain from venturing into the mountains. The Southern Cross-Island Highway has suffered significant damage due to the aftermath of the typhoon and will remain closed until further notice.

A terrified eyewitness screamed in shock as the landslides enveloped the Meilanming tunnel, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Post-incident, a statement from the Chia-hsien Section also revealed some fallen rocks at the east entrance of the Meilanming tunnel.

Cleanup operations commenced as soon as the rockfall ceased, officials stated. For now, the authorities are monitoring the situation patiently.