Hualien Landslide Dam Disaster Drill Evacuates Over 4,000; Ji Liancheng: Exercise a Success
Hualien County conducted a landslide dam disaster drill in Guangfu Township, evacuating over 4,000 residents. Executive Yuan Political Commissar Ji Liancheng praised the exercise as "very successful," noting its unprecedented scale for other counties and cities.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 19:27
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chi, Hualien County, 30th) The Hualien County Government held a landslide dam disaster prevention drill in Guangfu Township today, simulating an overflow and breach, with over 4,000 residents from three downstream townships evacuated and restricted areas cleared of people and vehicles. Executive Yuan Political Commissar Ji Liancheng, who attended to provide guidance, said the exercise was "very successful" and that no other county or city could achieve such a feat.
At 1:25 PM, residents in the Guangfu area received a "Landslide Dam Alert Red Warning" cell broadcast message. Five minutes later, the landslide dam alarm sounded, and residents in the alert zone sequentially left to stay with relatives or proceed to shelters. Those whose buildings met regulations performed vertical evacuation to the second floor.
Liu Hsiu-hsiang, a resident of Dahua Village, told the Central News Agency reporter that she still has lingering fears from last year's flood disaster. Whenever it rains heavily, she worries about another disaster. Not only her disaster kit, but even her medication is regularly kept in her bag, ready to be carried out at any time.
Liu Hsiu-hsiang mentioned that the village chief notified them of the drill a few weeks ago, and she had already prepared her supplies and medication kits. After receiving the text message in the afternoon, she waited at her doorstep. Upon hearing the police car's repeated evacuation broadcasts, she quickly went to register at the shelter located on the second floor of the township office.
At the Tribal Heart shelter, which accommodates residents from Dongfu and Beifu villages in Guangfu Township, some villagers reported that the shelter space was inadequately prepared. Ceiling fans were broken, power outlets had no electricity, and there was no ramp, making it unfriendly for elderly people with mobility issues.
In conjunction with the live drill, the Mata'an Creek temporary bridge was closed in both directions starting at 1:30 PM, and the Guangfu urban area was completely cleared. Taiwan Railways Administration staff guided tourists to wait in the lobby of the train station.
Japanese tourist Mr. Kan, visiting from Taipei, had previously come to Guangfu as a "shovel hero" and was revisiting the area. He said that the drill was necessary, but the notification was a bit late, and his train tickets and itinerary were already arranged, so he could only wait at the station for two hours.
Executive Yuan Political Commissar Ji Liancheng, Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, and experts formed an observation team, sequentially visiting the Guangfu Township Office to inspect Township Mayor Lin Ching-shui and his team's execution of the evacuation drill and the status of shelter arrangements.
The Hualien County Fire Department arranged for village chiefs and alternative service draftees to form a clearance team to check evacuation status at homes. They also arranged scenarios such as residents lingering in the alert zone, forced evacuation, and riots at shelters. Damacun Village Chief Wang Tzu-an communicated with his tribesmen in their indigenous language and cooperated with police persuasion to resolve disputes.
The live drill concluded at 4:00 PM, followed immediately by a review meeting. Ji Liancheng first gave his affirmation, stating, "No other county or city can achieve large-scale evacuation and shelter arrangements," calling it a very successful exercise.
Ji Liancheng stated that success does not mean there are no shortcomings. The process from tabletop exercises to live drills is to bring problems to light, allowing each exercise to be dynamically adjusted and problems to be solved, which is progress. He also affirmed Hsu Chen-wei as the commander, who was personally involved throughout.
Ji Liancheng emphasized that the most important work of township offices is evacuation and shelter arrangements, which relies on establishing and tracking a list of protected households and updating it in the Emergency Management Information System (EMIC). No matter what kind of disaster is faced, there will be no panic.
Ji Liancheng pointed out that the most important aspect of live drills is to establish mechanisms, with fixed teams, personnel, and division of labor, to operate more efficiently in various scenarios. This involves not only township office personnel but also effectively utilizing private sector resources to become a disaster prevention collaboration center.
Before the live drill began, the generator noise was too loud, and the landslide dam alarm was not heard. Ji Liancheng mentioned that the alarm system's sound should ensure that it can be heard in all areas of the alert zone, allowing residents to evacuate urgently and reduce casualties. This is the most basic task and must be improved.
Guangfu Township Mayor Lin Ching-shui mentioned at the review meeting that Guangfu Township lacks evacuation experience, and personnel turnover is high in rural areas. Personnel who have received evacuation training may not stay in Guangfu. Therefore, he suggested that the government offer more courses in Guangfu or rural areas to train local disaster prevention personnel.
According to statistics from the Hualien County Government, this landslide dam disaster prevention drill involved 12 villages from 3 townships (Guangfu, Fenglin, and Wanrong), with a total of 10 shelters established, and approximately 4,000 residents evacuated. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150430
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(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chi, Hualien County, 30th) The Hualien County Government held a landslide dam disaster prevention drill in Guangfu Township today, simulating an overflow and breach, with over 4,000 residents from three downstream townships evacuated and restricted areas cleared of people and vehicles. Executive Yuan Political Commissar Ji Liancheng, who attended to provide guidance, said the exercise was "very successful" and that no other county or city could achieve such a feat.
At 1:25 PM, residents in the Guangfu area received a "Landslide Dam Alert Red Warning" cell broadcast message. Five minutes later, the landslide dam alarm sounded, and residents in the alert zone sequentially left to stay with relatives or proceed to shelters. Those whose buildings met regulations performed vertical evacuation to the second floor.
Liu Hsiu-hsiang, a resident of Dahua Village, told the Central News Agency reporter that she still has lingering fears from last year's flood disaster. Whenever it rains heavily, she worries about another disaster. Not only her disaster kit, but even her medication is regularly kept in her bag, ready to be carried out at any time.
Liu Hsiu-hsiang mentioned that the village chief notified them of the drill a few weeks ago, and she had already prepared her supplies and medication kits. After receiving the text message in the afternoon, she waited at her doorstep. Upon hearing the police car's repeated evacuation broadcasts, she quickly went to register at the shelter located on the second floor of the township office.
At the Tribal Heart shelter, which accommodates residents from Dongfu and Beifu villages in Guangfu Township, some villagers reported that the shelter space was inadequately prepared. Ceiling fans were broken, power outlets had no electricity, and there was no ramp, making it unfriendly for elderly people with mobility issues.
In conjunction with the live drill, the Mata'an Creek temporary bridge was closed in both directions starting at 1:30 PM, and the Guangfu urban area was completely cleared. Taiwan Railways Administration staff guided tourists to wait in the lobby of the train station.
Japanese tourist Mr. Kan, visiting from Taipei, had previously come to Guangfu as a "shovel hero" and was revisiting the area. He said that the drill was necessary, but the notification was a bit late, and his train tickets and itinerary were already arranged, so he could only wait at the station for two hours.
Executive Yuan Political Commissar Ji Liancheng, Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, and experts formed an observation team, sequentially visiting the Guangfu Township Office to inspect Township Mayor Lin Ching-shui and his team's execution of the evacuation drill and the status of shelter arrangements.
The Hualien County Fire Department arranged for village chiefs and alternative service draftees to form a clearance team to check evacuation status at homes. They also arranged scenarios such as residents lingering in the alert zone, forced evacuation, and riots at shelters. Damacun Village Chief Wang Tzu-an communicated with his tribesmen in their indigenous language and cooperated with police persuasion to resolve disputes.
The live drill concluded at 4:00 PM, followed immediately by a review meeting. Ji Liancheng first gave his affirmation, stating, "No other county or city can achieve large-scale evacuation and shelter arrangements," calling it a very successful exercise.
Ji Liancheng stated that success does not mean there are no shortcomings. The process from tabletop exercises to live drills is to bring problems to light, allowing each exercise to be dynamically adjusted and problems to be solved, which is progress. He also affirmed Hsu Chen-wei as the commander, who was personally involved throughout.
Ji Liancheng emphasized that the most important work of township offices is evacuation and shelter arrangements, which relies on establishing and tracking a list of protected households and updating it in the Emergency Management Information System (EMIC). No matter what kind of disaster is faced, there will be no panic.
Ji Liancheng pointed out that the most important aspect of live drills is to establish mechanisms, with fixed teams, personnel, and division of labor, to operate more efficiently in various scenarios. This involves not only township office personnel but also effectively utilizing private sector resources to become a disaster prevention collaboration center.
Before the live drill began, the generator noise was too loud, and the landslide dam alarm was not heard. Ji Liancheng mentioned that the alarm system's sound should ensure that it can be heard in all areas of the alert zone, allowing residents to evacuate urgently and reduce casualties. This is the most basic task and must be improved.
Guangfu Township Mayor Lin Ching-shui mentioned at the review meeting that Guangfu Township lacks evacuation experience, and personnel turnover is high in rural areas. Personnel who have received evacuation training may not stay in Guangfu. Therefore, he suggested that the government offer more courses in Guangfu or rural areas to train local disaster prevention personnel.
According to statistics from the Hualien County Government, this landslide dam disaster prevention drill involved 12 villages from 3 townships (Guangfu, Fenglin, and Wanrong), with a total of 10 shelters established, and approximately 4,000 residents evacuated. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150430
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.