Typhoon Soudelor hit last night, but reports emerged of hikers trapped on Nanhuda Mountain. A 51-year-old man surnamed Hsia, his 48-year-old wife, and their 11-year-old daughter from Changhua City had gone hiking on Nanhuda Mountain in Taichung’s Heping Mountain Area five days ago. They had planned to descend on the 8th, but due to the typhoon, they decided to come down a day early. However, just one kilometer from the trailhead, they were trapped by a sudden mudflow with no way forward or back, and called 119 for help.
Taipei City Fire Department’s Second Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade Deputy Chief Liu Shiyong stated that after receiving the report on the evening of the 7th, rescue personnel were immediately dispatched. However, Provincial Highway 7A was completely closed due to heavy rain, and the creek upstream from the trailhead at Shengxi was swelling rapidly, preventing rescuers from advancing. They had to temporarily retreat to the Shengguang Police Station of the Heping Precinct and Wuling Farm.
At 5 a.m. on the 8th, police and firefighters split into two teams—one heading from Wuling Farm toward Siyuan Pass, but found the entrance blocked by a fallen utility pole and impassable; the other team advanced from Zhangliang Bridge, clearing fallen trees along the way.
The stranded individuals are currently in a safe location, but are wet and cold, lacking food. With strong winds and heavy rain on the mountain, neither people nor vehicles can pass through. Rescue efforts can only proceed after the typhoon passes and river water levels recede. A request has been made to the command center for helicopter and military support.
(China Times)