Survey team reaches Matai'an Creek barrier lake site: Forestry agency

Taipei, Oct. 6 (CNA) One of two teams deployed on foot by the Hualien branch of Taiwan's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) to survey potential routes to the Matai'an Creek barrier lake reported widespread devastation in its initial findings on Sunday.

When the Matai'an Creek barrier lake in Hualien County overflowed during the recent Typhoon Ragasa on Sept. 23, it unleashed massive floods into the county's Guangfu Township, killing 18 people and scattering mud and debris across the area.

In an attempt to secure routes towards the barrier lake for future reconstruction, maintenance and fortification, FANCA's Hualien branch on Sept. 30 deployed a task force consisting of two teams to visit the site.

The teams were tasked with surveying the remnants of the lake and looking for prospective routes for construction equipment to enter the area to rebuild, FANCA said.

Made up of professionals from FANCA, the Taiwan Mountain Rescue Association's Eastern Search & Rescue Committee, as well as the association's High Altitude Corps, 15 members were tasked with hiking to the barrier lake via either the forest trails of Guangfu or Wanrong townships.

As there are currently no navigable routes to the barrier lake, the individuals chosen for the teams had to be able to climb in difficult terrain and rappel using ropes in areas damaged by landslides, FANCA said.

FANCA added that deploying two teams would give it more comprehensive geographical and environmental data based on the images the teams gathered.

The data will be used to help ensure safety during future efforts to rebuild the area and set up disaster prevention and detection infrastructure.

The team which made it to the remnants of the barrier lake first at noon on Sunday consisted of nine individuals who entered from Guangfu Township, the agency said, adding that as a result of weak telecommunication services in the mountains, the team was only able to send back a few images.

From the few photos sent, the barrier lake appeared barren and hazy, with dust in the air making it difficult for the task force members to breathe, FANCA said.

FANCA said that the Guangfu team had completed all of its initial surveys and then set out on their return journey. They will submit all of the photos they took after returning home, likely on Thursday, it said.

With the mission expected to last eight to 10 days for both teams, the team of six which entered from Wanrong Township will most likely return within a similar timeframe.