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Taiwan Flood From Breached Barrier Lake Leaves 14 Dead, 22 Missing in Hualien

A July landslide lake failed during Typhoon No. 18, unleashing a rapid surge into nearby Guangfu.

Overview

  • Taiwan authorities on Sept. 25 reported 14 fatalities and reduced the number of uncontacted people to 22 after correcting earlier duplicate entries.
  • Officials say 633 people have been rescued as firefighters and the military continue searches and residents clear thick mud from homes and roads.
  • The deluge followed overflow and breach of a mountain barrier lake that had been under watch since it formed after a July landslide.
  • Local reporting indicates the lake’s failure released about 60 million of roughly 91 million tons of stored water downstream.
  • Taiwan’s Central News Agency reports many victims were elderly and found on first floors of flooded buildings.