According to the CWB's forecast, TD no.8 will intensify into Typhoon In-fa tonight (17th) or tomorrow and it is exhibiting signs of intensification, expected to affect Taiwan's weather next Tuesday (20th). The 9th River Management Office has already verified various flood prevention work and closely monitors the weather's development while remaining vigilant at all times.
The 9th River Management Office Director Hsieh Ming-Chan commented that consecutive earthquakes in Hualien recently have loosened soil and rocks in the mountains, hence it is important to beware of potential debris flow and landslides caused by the typhoon's heavy rainfall. The 9th River Management Office collaborated with the Hualien Forest District Office and the Hualien Branch, Soil and Water Conservation Bureau to form a regional joint defense network, while disaster mitigation construction projects along urgent river sections and dredging have been completed to disasters caused by compound earth and sand disasters after earthquakes.
Faced with an impending typhoon, the 9th River Management Office has intensified the inspection of flood preparedness of construction sites, watergate operations, fuel reserve for flood control pumps, flood prevention materials, surveillance system (CCTV, flood detector) signal confirmation, etc., while emergency repair open contract contractors have been notified to stand-by. Moreover, the office has kept in touch with the county government's disaster prevention platform to collaborate in typhoon disaster prevention. In light of repeated earthquakes in Hualien, the 9th River Management Office has inspected levees, embankments and revetments in areas with greater earthquake intensity and concluded that all hydraulic facilities are functioning normally and that there are no safety concerns.
The 9th River Management Office once again reminds the public to prepare for the typhoon and beware of rising water levels by the river, stay away from rivers and the seaside. People living in low-lying regions should clean up their surrounding gutters and balcony drainage before the typhoon arrives. They can also obtain the latest information from the WRA app, disaster prevention information network and disaster and drought prevention Facebook fan page to minimize losses caused by typhoon disasters and torrential rains.