Typhoon Mekkhala has continued bringing heavy rains to Taiwan, leading to reports of flooding across the island and prompting the Economic Ministry to upgrade its disaster response team to level one this Friday.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) stated that while Typhoon Mekkhala did not make direct landfall in Taiwan, the convergence of its outer circulation and a southwest monsoon brought immense amounts of rainfall, causing flooding across northern and southern Taiwan. 

As of Friday morning, Cho said, 134 areas are still flooded. He instructed water conservancy units to conduct a comprehensive inspection of pumping station equipment to ensure its proper operation and to increase the deployment of mobile pumps. He also instructed local governments to obtain estimated receding times for each flooded area and to inform residents accordingly.

The premier instructed the Agriculture Ministry to continue monitoring a newly-formed barrier lake, discovered Sunday, along the Wanli River in Hualien County. The location is approximately seven kilometers away from where the Matai’an barrier lake overflowed late last year, causing mudflows and ongoing economic disasters for the region.

Cho noted that, per Thursday’s figures, agricultural losses have exceeded NT$130 million (over US$4 million), with the number expected to rise as the rain continues and the affected area expands. He said authorities will conduct comprehensive damage assessments to determine subsidies in accordance with current regulations.

The Central Weather Administration issued another heavy rainfall advisory this Friday, reminding residents to take precautions against the extreme weather.