TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Officials updated the death toll Wednesday (Sept. 24) to 17 killed and left 17 missing (down from 152) from flash floods in Taiwan's Hualien County. The Matai'an Creek (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake overflow Tuesday forced mass evacuations from Guangfu Township (光復鄉), a rural community in eastern Taiwan. Search and rescue operations continue across the disaster zone.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛生福利部) launched eight emergency measures Wednesday to address the crisis. The ministry evacuated dialysis patients and pregnant women while deploying disaster medical teams and evaluating drone medication delivery. Officials initiated shelter operations, psychological care and social worker support for affected residents throughout the disaster zone.
Drones assess medication delivery needs while the Food and Drug Administration (食藥署) works to stabilize drug supplies across affected areas. The ministry dispatched medical professionals including Hualien Hospital (花蓮醫院) Director Lin Yen-hsiung (林彥雄) to provide emergency care. Yuli Hospital (玉里醫院) Director Chien I-chia (簡以嘉) leads a mental health team offering psychological support to disaster survivors.
Authorities sheltered 508 evacuees at National Kuangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School (光復高職), Da Jin Elementary School (大進國小), Wanrong Elementary School (萬榮國小), and Fenglin Recreation Area (鳳林樂活會館). The ministry mobilized social welfare groups including the Hualien Fund for Children and Families (花蓮家扶中心) to assist with resource management. Emergency shelters accommodate displaced residents while officials coordinate ongoing relief efforts.
The city deployed 15 trucks, seven excavators and additional equipment to support Hualien County's disaster relief efforts. A team of 36 personnel operates the heavy machinery to bolster ongoing rescue and recovery operations. Multi-jurisdictional coordination strengthens Taiwan's disaster response capabilities as emergency teams work around the clock. ◼
