Flooding in Taiwan sparks questions about government water management

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Days of torrential rain have triggered widespread flooding across central and southern Taiwan, prompting public scrutiny of the Water Resources Agency’s flood control efforts over the past decade.

Since Sunday, heavy rain has caused road flooding, rising river levels, and mudslides in Taichung, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan. In response, the Taipei and New Taipei City Governments, along with Taipower, dispatched water pumps and maintenance vehicles to assist with drainage in the affected areas.

Despite more than NT$80 billion (US$2.7 billion) in funding allocated over the past eight years, many are questioning how and where the agency has used the funds for flood mitigation.

The agency attributed the flooding to short bursts of heavy rainfall that overwhelmed regional drainage systems. It said previous flood control projects helped reduce the size of flooded areas and allowed water to recede more quickly.

Since 2017, the agency has invested nearly NT$10.4 billion in Chiayi and NT$11.1 billion in Tainan to bolster flood prevention. In response to climate change, the Cabinet plans to allocate an additional NT$100 billion to further strengthen flood management.

On Tuesday, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) visited flooded areas in central and southern Taiwan to assess the damage. Kuo said the government has established a command center to coordinate emergency flood response.

The Ministry of National Defense has also dispatched troops to Houbi and Baihe Districts in Tainan to help remove flood-damaged household waste and clean streets.

The recent rainfall has impacted the supply of fruits and vegetables. The agriculture ministry said it will release frozen produce to help stabilize market prices.

Meanwhile, the health ministry warned of a potential outbreak of infectious diseases and dengue fever after the waters recede. It has instructed local governments to strengthen post-disaster cleanup efforts.