Hualien: An overflow from Matai'an Creek has inundated a section of Provincial Highway 9 in Hualien, which had been preemptively closed due to the heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Fung-Wong, as reported by the Highway Bureau on Tuesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the flooding took place near the highway's 231-kilometer mark close to Guangfu. Prior to this incident, temporary lanes on both sides of the Matai'an Creek bridge were shut down on Monday afternoon, extending the closed zone north to the 228.5 km near Fenglin Township and south to 236.5 km near Guangfu Township.
In response to the storm, the Hualien County government has also enacted precautionary closures on multiple township and access roads, including those in Wanrong, Yuli, and Fuli townships, as well as in the mountainous regions. As of Tuesday morning, 7,442 residents have been evacuated from areas prone to landslides and flooding, with 785 individuals currently housed in temporary shelters.
Additionally, the Maritime and Port Bureau announced the suspension of 99 ferry sailings on eight different routes, such as the Keelung-Matsu, Matsu-Fuzhou, and Fugang-Green Island routes, due to adverse sea conditions on Tuesday.
In an effort to ensure safety and complete preparations for the typhoon, Penghu Airport canceled 11 flights to Taiwan's main island after 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, affecting nearly 400 passengers with reservations.
According to the Central Weather Administration, as of noon on Tuesday, Fung-Wong was positioned approximately 340 kilometers southwest of Taiwan's southern tip, progressing north-northeast at a speed of 11 kilometers per hour.
Authorities have urged residents near Matai'an Creek to remain vigilant, particularly those residing in areas impacted by the September barrier lake breach, which resulted in 19 fatalities and left five individuals missing after severe flooding in Guangfu.