Full Breakdown
Torrential Rain Overwhelming Southern Taiwan, Prompting Closures, Evacuations and Missing-Person Alerts
8/24/2026, 10:06:32 PM
Core Event
On August 24, a low-pressure system dumped torrential rain across southern Taiwan, forcing the governments of Kaohsiung, Tainan, Pingtung, Chiayi, Taitung and Hualien to close offices and schools. The downpours disrupted Taiwan Railway services on the east-coast line, cancelled express trains and limited local services.
Background & Context
The rain arrived as southwesterly winds intensified and multiple tropical systems—including tropical depression TD22—converged over the island. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) warned the low-pressure belt would continue to feed moisture, while Typhoon Saudel, east of the Ryukyu Islands, was projected to pass north of Taiwan in the coming days.
Data & Statistics
- Rainfall totals: Wandan Township (Pingtung) 281 mm, Majia Township (Pingtung) 263 mm, Siaogang District (Kaohsiung) 254.5 mm, Linyuan District (Kaohsiung) 242 mm, Yongkang District (Tainan) over 132 mm in three hours.
- Forecast: Kaohsiung expects more than 1.3 m of rain over five days, nearly half the city’s typical annual total.
- Evacuations: Over 2,300 residents moved to safety—2,203 from Kaohsiung, 115 from Pingtung and additional numbers from Tainan and Hualien.
- Missing persons: Four people reported missing—three in Hualien and one in Tainan.
- Infrastructure impact: 34 rivers in Kaohsiung’s Liouguei and Maolin districts under red debris-flow alerts; several provincial highways and a northbound entrance ramp on National Freeway 3 closed.
Official Statements & Responses
- Kaohsiung announced the 1.3 m rainfall projection and ordered citywide closures.
- Taitung County chief April Yao urged residents to stay indoors.
- The CWA issued torrential-rain warnings for Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Taitung, and extremely heavy-rain warnings for Chiayi, Hualien and the Hengchun Peninsula.
- Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-ma inspected flood-control facilities and called for accelerated drainage projects.
- Tainan prepared 511 mobile water pumps, requested five more from the central government, and deployed sandbags and traffic controls.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents in Kaohsiung’s Niaosong District described cars nearly submerged, while a light-rail train briefly struck a fallen tree. In Tainan’s Yongkang District, water reached waist height, prompting repeated flooding within hours. Police managed traffic and rescued motorists trapped by rising streams.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Rainfall measurements for Kaohsiung’s 24-hour totals differ: Taiwan News cited 250–300 mm, whereas Taipei Times reported totals exceeding 300 mm by mid-afternoon. Both agree the amounts surpass the 200 mm threshold for “extremely heavy rain.” No official casualty figures have been released beyond the four missing persons.
Why It Matters / Impact
The rainfall threatens critical infrastructure, including semiconductor facilities such as TSMC’s plants in Tainan and Kaohsiung, which remain vulnerable to flooding. Disruptions to rail and highway networks impede the movement of goods and emergency responders, while large-scale evacuations underscore the risk to densely populated low-lying districts.
Timeline
- August 24 – Offices and schools close; rail services disrupted; rain intensifies.
- August 24-25 – Evacuations and flood-control measures expand; missing-person reports emerge.
- Early August 28 – Typhoon Saudel expected to pass north of Taiwan, potentially bringing additional rain to the north.
What’s Next
The CWA will continue monitoring the low-pressure system and Typhoon Saudel, with a sea warning possible on the Wednesday after August 28. Authorities urge residents to avoid travel to flood-prone areas, follow evacuation orders and stay alert for updated weather advisories.
