Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc in Central Taiwan in Wake of Storm

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Intense rains within the wake of Storm Khanun lashed the mountainous components of Taiwan on Saturday, unleashing flood and landslides that blocked roads and stranded tons of of individuals as authorities rushed to renew transportation hyperlinks.

Rains have pounded the central county of Nantou since Storm Khanun brushed previous northern Taiwan on Thursday, with greater than 1 m (3 ft) of precipitation soaking Renai Township since then, shattering roads and triggering landslides and mudslides.

Native information footage confirmed a petroleum station in Renai buried by landslides, whereas a motorway close by was flooded, reducing the important thing transportation hyperlink within the mountainous space.

Throughout Taiwan, two individuals had been lacking and greater than 460 stranded, largely in distant mountainous areas, the federal government stated, including no casualties had been reported.

Hsu Shu-Hua, the top of Nantou County, stated some individuals had been stranded on the mountains and urged the central authorities and armed forces to ship in assist as quickly as doable, in accordance the official Central Information Company.

Vice President William Lai vowed to supply “biggest sources” to assist native authorities restore infrastructure and transportation.

“Though Storm Khanun is step by step transferring away from us, individuals ought to nonetheless make associated preparations and should take note of rains and winds, in addition to your personal security,” he stated in a submit on Fb.

Heavy rain was forecast to proceed over the weekend, though at a diminished stage as authorities continued to concern warnings of landslides for mountainous central and southern Taiwan.

(Reporting By Yimou Lee and Fabian Hamacher; Modifying by William Mallard)

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