5 Killed, Thousands Evacuated As Torrential Rains Hit Taiwan

[News_Editor]

5 killed, thousands evacuated as torrential rains hit Taiwan < br />

2012-06-13 07:09:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (BNO NEWS) -- Mudslides triggered by torrential rains across Taiwan have killed at least five people and forced the evacuation of thousands of people island-wide, local authorities said on Tuesday. The severe weather is expected to continue throughout the week.

A monsoon which began to affect Taiwan over the weekend had moved into the northern part of the island by Tuesday morning. The heavy rainfall throughout the region has caused severe flooding and landslides, forcing the military to evacuate more than 3,000 residents to safety, according to state-run media.

Four people were killed on Monday as a result of two separate landslides in central Taiwan. A fruit grower and an employee were killed in Nantou County when a landslide hit the area. Another landslide in neighboring Taichung killed a contract worker and his girlfriend at a Forestry Bureau station.

The death toll rose to five on Tuesday when firefighters recovered the body of an elderly man who was swept away by flood waters in Taoyuan County. It is feared the death toll could rise further in the coming days as the torrential rains are forecast to continue, prompting the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) to issue an Extremely Heavy Rain Advisory.

As of Tuesday morning, damage from the storm has been estimated to be at least NT$43.59 million (US$1.46 million), according to the Council of Agriculture.

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