TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities evacuated 43 residents from Taipei's Wenshan District (文山區) Wednesday (Oct. 23) after three landslides struck Jinghua Street and Jingxing Road the previous evening. The evacuations from Taiwan's capital underscore the island's vulnerability to weather-related geological disasters, prompting immediate safety responses from the city's disaster prevention center.
Continuous rainfall has severely hampered investigation efforts by Taipei Public Works Department technicians at the landslide sites. Wu Ming-sheng (吳明聖), director of Taipei's Geotechnical Engineering Office, reported that excessive soil moisture has destabilized the terrain. Deputy Mayor Li Ssu-chuan (李四川) assured residents that underlying slope structures remain intact, with damage limited to surface soil and several fallen trees.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署), the island's national meteorological agency, issued heavy rain advisories for six counties Wednesday. The warnings cover mountainous areas in Yilan County, New Taipei City and Taipei City. Meteorologist Lin Te-en (林得恩) predicted continued precipitation through Taiwan's National Day holiday, with conditions improving Friday (Oct. 25).
Engineering experts called for enhanced disaster warning systems following Taiwan's pattern of weather-related geological failures. Kung Hsiang-sheng (拱祥生) from the Taiwan Professional Civil Engineers Association (台灣省土木技師公會) noted that debris flows caused 73 percent of last year's 34 major sediment disasters. Ming Chuan University professor Shao Pei-chun (邵珮君) stressed the need for proactive management under Taiwan's Spatial Planning Act (國土計畫) to reduce mountain vulnerability. ◼
>>> In case of a typhoon or natural disaster, you should prepare for the storm and avoid going outside. Stay away from beaches and coastal areas for wave-watching or water activities. Be alert for strong winds and heavy rain while watching for landslides and falling rocks. Remember that emergency assistance is available at 119/1999, maritime emergencies at 118, and police or disaster reporting at 110/119.
