Changhua County, Taiwan — July 8, 2025 — Intense thunderstorms that struck Changhua County from early morning until just before 2 p.m. today have led to widespread flooding, transport disruptions, and emergency response operations across several towns.
In Tianwei Township, the heavy rainfall caused significant flooding, particularly near the National No. 1 culvert in Haifeng Village. A vehicle attempting to pass through the submerged road became trapped when the water level reached approximately 70 centimeters, stalling the engine and leaving the car stuck. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen this much rain fall so quickly,” said Mr. Zheng, a local resident, as many streets in the area turned into fast-flowing streams.
The Yuanlin area, which sits on low terrain, also experienced serious flooding. The Yuanlin Park and Longdeng Park flood detention ponds were nearly full to capacity. Water breached the basements of the Yuanlin Police Station and the Local Taxation Bureau, where a large catfish was found at the entrance. In a rare moment of levity, staff rescued the fish and released it in a nearby pond once the rain had eased.
In Beidou Township, a large sinkhole appeared on Provincial Highway 1, near the main vegetable market. The area of collapsed road was roughly the size of a car, though no vehicles were reported trapped. Authorities placed traffic cones to cordon off the site. While some speculated that the subsidence may be linked to previous utility works, the exact cause remains under investigation, as the location differs from the recent excavation zones.
Railway infrastructure was also heavily affected. A section of the western main railway line between Ershui and Linnei (K255+200) was damaged, with parts of the foundation stones washed away, leading to a suspension of rail traffic starting at 2:25 p.m. In response, the Taiwan Railways Administration activated a Level 1 emergency protocol at 2:30 p.m. and coordinated with regional teams to arrange alternative transportation for affected passengers.
Unused tickets can be refunded within a year at no extra cost, the railway company confirmed. The Chiayi Engineering Section has deployed workers and equipment to carry out urgent repairs, aiming to restore full operations by 6 p.m. this evening.
Authorities continue to monitor water levels and assess infrastructure for further risks as the region begins cleanup and recovery efforts following the sudden storm.
