Massive Landslide Triggers Deadly Flooding in Taiwan
A massive landslide, triggered by heavy rains from Super Typhoon Ragasa, has caused the breach of a barrier lake on the Mataian River. The disaster has resulted in severe flooding, with 18 confirmed dead and 6 still missing. Rescue missions are ongoing.
The landslide, with a maximum depth of 403m, occurred at the top of the barrier lake, causing it to overflow. The resulting flood has led to significant loss of life and destruction. The local government has been working tirelessly to rebuild the levees in Guangfu Township, with approximately 800m of reconstruction completed so far, accounting for 27.9 percent of the total work.
The breach has also caused substantial terrain changes, raising the riverbed by 40 to 50m in the midstream and downstream sections of the Mataian River. Despite the ongoing efforts, the region remains under a red alert due to clogging of the river. The situation is being closely monitored using a digital elevation model with a precision of 1m, produced using an airborne LiDAR scanner.
The Mataian River barrier lake overflow was primarily caused by a massive landslide, leading to severe flooding and loss of life. While reconstruction efforts continue, the region remains on high alert due to ongoing river clogging. Search-and-rescue missions are ongoing, with the situation being closely monitored.
