Taiwan's Kinmen Island Experiences Record Rainfall, Causing Widespread Flooding

Intense thunderstorms deliver over 141mm of rain in 8 hours, submerging fields and leaving livestock stranded.

Kinmen County, Taiwan, experienced a night of disruption as severe thunderstorms brought unprecedented rainfall. Starting early in the morning, the island was hit by intense downpours, accumulating over 141 millimeters of rain in just an eight-hour period. This figure marks the highest single-day rainfall recorded this year. The Central Weather Administration issued immediate alerts for heavy thunderstorms and a first-level flood warning for Kinmen.

Low-lying areas in Jinsha Township and Jinhu Township quickly became inundated. Rice paddies transformed into lakes, and reports emerged of cattle trapped in the rising waters, facing difficult conditions.

According to the Kinmen Weather Station, the cumulative rainfall between midnight and 8 AM on the 11th reached 141 millimeters. A significant portion, over 78.5 millimeters, fell between 1:30 AM and 7:30 AM. Including the 35.5 millimeters recorded the previous day, Kinmen experienced a total of 176.5 millimeters of rain within a 24-hour span, described as the strongest rainfall of the summer.

The continuous heavy rain caused the Jinsha Reservoir's water levels to rise rapidly. Farmland in downstream areas, characterized by lower elevations, experienced water backflow. In locations like Yangshan and Guan'ao, numerous rice fields were submerged, appearing as vast water bodies. Eyewitnesses reported seeing cattle struggling in the water, unable to move due to the depth.

In urban areas of Jinhu Township and Jinsha Township, several roads flooded due to inadequate drainage, with some residents finding their doorways resembling waterways. The ground was left covered in mud and debris. While the rain subsided after 8 AM, leading to receding water levels, affected residents faced the challenge of cleaning up the accumulated mud and debris.

The Kinmen Weather Station attributed the heavy rainfall to the combined effects of a low-pressure trough and southwest winds. The forecast suggests that weather conditions are expected to stabilize gradually from the afternoon into the evening. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential sudden incidents caused by the resurgence of afternoon convection.