Manhole Cover Blown Off by Sudden Downpour in Taipei, 3 Cars Get Flat Tires, No Injuries

(Central News Agency reporter Yang Shumin, Taipei 7th) The Taipei City Disaster Prevention and Response Office announced today that due to the influence of afternoon convective clouds, a sudden heavy downpour occurred. On the roadway opposite No. 389, Section 1, Huanhe North Road, a manhole cover was blown off, creating a pothole. Three passing vehicles accidentally ran over the pothole, resulting in flat tires, but fortunately no one was injured.

The Taipei City Disaster Prevention Office issued a statement explaining that due to the influence of convective clouds, short-duration heavy rainfall was possible in the afternoon. During this time, they received a report from the police that a manhole cover had been blown off on the northbound lane opposite No. 389, Section 1, Huanhe North Road.

The Disaster Prevention Office stated that the local precinct arrived to investigate. The cause was determined to be the sudden heavy downpour leading to excessive air pressure, which blew off the manhole cover and created a pothole in the road surface. During this incident, three passing vehicles accidentally ran over the pothole, causing their tires to burst, but no one was injured. After emergency repairs by the Sewerage Engineering Office, the manhole cover was restored to its position at 4:36 PM. The police confirmed that traffic had returned to normal and then left the scene.

Furthermore, the Disaster Prevention Office explained that they received a report via the 1999 hotline from a citizen about water accumulation on the Bailing Bridge heading towards Sanchong, reaching a height of about one tire. Police officers dispatched to the scene confirmed that the water had already receded, and traffic was flowing smoothly.

The Disaster Prevention Office added that the Hydraulic Engineering Office established an expanded monitoring team at 1:00 PM and arranged for external (pumping) machinery to be on standby. The districts of Zhongzheng, Shilin, Beitou, Datong, and Wanhua established emergency response teams according to regulations after rainfall reached 40 millimeters, with cross-agency personnel stationed to carry out disaster response. (Editor: Chen Renhua) 1150607