Storm causes Matai’an Creek to overflow on closed section of highway

Taipei, Nov. 11 (CNA) An overflow from Matai’an Creek flooded a section of Provincial Highway 9 in Hualien which had already been closed as a precaution amid heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fung-Wong, the Highway Bureau said Tuesday.

According to the bureau, the flooding occurred near the highway’s 231-kilometer mark near Guangfu.

Prior to the flooding, temporary lanes in both directions of the Matai’an Creek bridge were closed on Monday afternoon, with the closed zone extended north to the 228.5 km near Fenglin Township and south to 236.5 km near Guangfu Township.

The Hualien County government has also imposed precautionary closures on several township and access roads, including some in Wanrong, Yuli and Fuli townships, as well as in mountainous areas.

Across Hualien County, 7,442 residents have been evacuated from landslide- and flood-prone areas as of Tuesday morning, with 785 sheltered in temporary housing.

Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Bureau said 99 ferry sailings on eight routes, including the Keelung-Matsu, Matsu-Fuzhou, and Fugang-Green Island routes, were suspended Tuesday due to rough seas.

Penghu Airport announced the cancellation of 11 flights to the main island of Taiwan after 3:20 p.m. Tuesday to ensure flight safety and complete typhoon preparedness. Nearly 400 passengers with reservations were affected, the airport said.

At noon Tuesday, Fung-Wong was centered about 340 kilometers southwest of Taiwan's southern tip, moving north-northeast at 11 kilometers per hour, according to the Central Weather Administration.

Authorities reminded residents near Matai'an Creek to remain alert, particularly those in areas affected by the September barrier lake breach that killed 19 people and left five missing after severe flooding in Guangfu.