TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities suspended work and classes in three mountain villages Thursday (Aug. 21) after a massive landslide blocked Taiwan Provincial Highway 7 (台7線) in both directions during early morning hours. The debris avalanche struck at 2:10 a.m. near the 33-kilometer mark in Taoyuan City's Fuxing District (復興區), trapping residents in Houshan's (後山) remote communities. Highway Bureau officials promised to restore traffic access by 3 p.m. amid ongoing clearance operations.
The devastating landslide spans approximately 30 meters in length and 15 meters in height along the treacherous Luofu (羅浮) to Houshan mountain corridor. Emergency contractors deployed heavy machinery to clear tons of debris while battling unstable terrain conditions. Fuxing District's Civil Affairs Office (復興區公所) established traffic barriers at the 31.5K and 33.7K markers, warning drivers about continuing rockfall dangers in the hazardous zone.
District Chief Su Tso-hsi (蘇佐璽) immediately alerted Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) and transportation officials about the emergency situation. The popular Happiness Bus service (幸福巴士) ceased operations indefinitely due to impassable road conditions. Highway Bureau official Hong Yi-min (洪一民) attributed the disaster to Wednesday's (Aug. 20) intense mountain rainfall that destabilized soil and rock formations, recommending drivers use Taiwan Provincial Highway 9 (台9線) or National Freeway 5 (國5) as detour routes. ◼
