According to CWB's forecast, a sea warning and land warning for mild typhoon In-fa, currently northeast of Taiwan, will be issued as early as the 21st and 22nd, respectively, and it can intensity into a moderate typhoon tomorrow (20th). WRA Director-General Lai Chien-Hsin convened a flood prevention video conference with various subsidiaries this morning (19th), instructing various offices to evaluate the typhoon's developments based on the worst-case scenario to implement typhoon preparedness. The 9th River Management Office immediately checked and confirmed possible flooding hotspots within its jurisdiction, flood preparedness at ongoing construction sites, flood control pumps, watergate operations, dredging of ditches, as well as preparation of flood prevention materials. Furthermore, the office kept in contact with Hualien County Government's water resources authority to exchange intelligence and support each other's needs.
According to the 9th River Management Office Director Hsieh Ming-Chan, the consecutive earthquakes in Hualien have loosened soil and rocks. In light of the possibility of road interruptions in the mountain areas caused by the typhoon's torrential rain, emergency repair contractors have been asked to move in advance to prevent isolated areas from hampering disaster rescue efforts. The 9th River Management Office collaborated with the Hualien Forest District Office and the Hualien Branch, Soil and Water Conservation Bureau to dredge the rivers and drainage outlets in advance to keep the waterway clear, as well as prevent threats and losses caused by compounded earth and sand disasters.
In light of the possible winds, waves and storm surges caused by Typhoon In-fa, the 9th River Management Office has also strengthened the inspection of coastal levees and revetments, particularly areas along similar typhoon routes that were affected previously including Xincheng levee, Chisingtan coastal protection work, Nanbin/Beibin, and Huaren levee protection and alert. The 9th River Management Office also asked the Hualien County Government to make sure that the pumping stations are CCTVs are in working order, as well as to monitor the surging river water level and implement the evacuation plan.
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 rain.