Typhoon Mekkhala Brings Heavy Rains, Flooding and Evacuations to Taiwan

On Thursday, Typhoon Mekkhala’s outer bands brought heavy rain to Taiwan, causing localized flooding in Taipei and in Kaohsiung and Pingtung counties. In Neihu, Taipei, flood waters nearly submerged parked cars. In Hualien’s east coast, authorities began evacuating over 200 residents from two townships downstream of a rapidly filling barrier lake.

Heavy rains from nearby Typhoon Mekkhala pound Taiwan, 200 to be evacuated on east coastUsNews and World Report

Barrier lakes form when landslides or rockfalls block a river valley, creating a natural dam. A barrier lake in Hualien breached during Super Typhoon Ragasa last year, killing 19 people. The current lake’s rapid rise has revived concerns of a similar event.

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Pingtung County ordered all offices and schools closed Thursday afternoon. Kaohsiung City shut two mountainous districts. Hualien County activated evacuation protocols for the 200 residents, moving them to shelters while monitoring lake levels.

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Residents in Neihu reported flood waters nearly covering cars; no injuries have been reported. Evacuated families in Hualien were placed in temporary housing while officials assessed the lake’s stability.

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• Over 200 people evacuated from Hualien’s east coast.

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• 19 deaths occurred in Hualien during last year’s barrier-lake breach.

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• Rainfall is expected to persist for at least a week, gradually easing.

Heavy rains from nearby Typhoon Mekkhala pound Taiwan, 200 to be evacuated on east coast

A barrier-lake breach could unleash water and mud onto downstream communities, replicating the 2025 disaster. At the same time, the sustained rain helps refill Taiwan’s reservoirs, a vital water source after typically dry winters. Balancing flood safety with water resource needs is a recurring challenge for Taiwan’s disaster management agencies.

Heavy rains from nearby Typhoon Mekkhala pound Taiwan, 200 to be evacuated on east coast

Both Reuters and Economic Times reports provide the same figures for evacuations and note no casualties to date. Detailed damage assessments and precise lake-level measurements have not been released.

Heavy rains from nearby Typhoon Mekkhala pound Taiwan, 200 to be evacuated on east coast

Local officials described the evacuations as precautionary and said emergency teams stand ready for any breach. No national-level statements were cited.

Heavy rains from nearby Typhoon Mekkhala pound Taiwan, 200 to be evacuated on east coast

Rain is expected to continue for at least a week, gradually easing, while authorities keep monitoring the barrier lake and may expand evacuations if conditions worsen.

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• "Heavy rains from a passing typhoon caused localised flooding in Taipei and parts of southern Taiwan on Thursday." — Reuters

Heavy rains from nearby Typhoon Mekkhala pound Taiwan, 200 to be evacuated on east coast

• "More than 200 people on the east coast will be evacuated ahead of a possible breach of a barrier lake in the mountains." — Reuters

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• "In one area of the Neihu suburb of Taipei, flood waters nearly submerged cars." — Reuters

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• "Rain is forecast to continue over Taiwan for at least the next week, though it will gradually ease." — Reuters

Heavy rains from nearby Typhoon Mekkhala pound Taiwan, 200 to be evacuated on east coast