6 remain missing as search continues after Hualien floods: CEOC

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) Six people remain missing in the wake of fatal flooding that struck Hualien County early last week, the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) said Tuesday, as search efforts continue.

The flooding was triggered by heavy rainfall from Typhoon Ragasa, which caused a barrier lake on Matai'an Creek in Hualien to burst on Sept. 23, leading to massive flooding.

According to the CEOC, 18 people have died and 121 were injured.

Search efforts yield no results

Hualien's emergency operation center said the six missing -- all in hard-hit Guranfu Township -- include a man surnamed Kao (高) on Ziqiang Road, a married couple surnamed Lin (林) on Wuchang Street, a sand and gravel plant operator surnamed Huang (黃) on Fozu Street, and two others surnamed Kao (高) and Chang (張).

● Typhoon Ragasa death toll rises to 18 after body found in Hualien river

Wu Chia-chi (吳佳奇), a disaster section chief with the eastern county's Fire Bureau, said an excavation on Fozu Street failed to locate any of the missing. Search teams then shifted downstream, but with mud as deep as 3 to 4 meters, progress has been slow and no discoveries were made Tuesday.

He said the military deployed 50 personnel for grid searches near Mizhan Bridge and the Jialidong River, supported by drone surveillance, but again found nothing.

Water supply situation

Since water service was restored in Guangfu Township on Sept. 26, daily supply is expected to reach 9,298 metric tons on Tuesday, up from 4,000 metric tons before the disaster, the CEOC's Water and Electricity Division said.

However, some households at the end of pipelines or on higher ground are still experiencing low water pressure. Twenty-seven water stations have been set up to provide round-the-clock water replenishment, the division said.

A total of 135 personnel are on standby to repair any damaged pipelines, it added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment said it aims to complete the removal of mud and debris from households ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Oct. 6 this year.

Donations near NT$500 million goal

The Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief said donations to a dedicated account for Hualien flood relief are expected to reach its NT$500 million (US$16.39 million) target by the end of Tuesday.

As of 11:59 p.m. Monday, the account had received more than 200,000 donations totaling NT$493,774,663.

The foundation said it may continue fundraising until donations reach NT$1 billion or until the original Oct. 24 deadline, as disaster assessments are still underway.