This past weekend was the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Taiwan, it’s a popular time to barbecue outdoors. But after a nearby typhoon showered the island in heavy rain, one group of riverside campers had their festivities cut short by a flash flood.
A powerful pillar of water washes away camping equipment. One by one, chairs, stoves and even a tent get swept away. Rainy weather caused a flash flood, inundating this once calm riverbed in New Taipei. The raging torrent takes with it these campers’ weekend plans.
This past weekend was the Mid-Autumn Festival in Taiwan. For many here, it’s a time to barbecue outdoors and gaze at the full moon. Unfortunately, Typhoon Muifa, which came close to Taiwan over the holiday, had different plans.
On Sunday morning, campers set up shop by the river while the weather was still fair. But by noon, the skies turned gray and the rain started coming down.
Luckily, Red Cross Taiwan volunteers were stationed nearby, ready to help the people in distress.
At around 11:00 a.m. volunteers noticed that the riverwater had become murky — a telltale sign of an incoming flash flood. They started urging campers to pack up their gear, but the water level rose too quickly. Campers used the precious final seconds before the water hit to escape with their lives.
This river is a popular spot for visitors to relax. But its waters hide whirlpools and undercurrents, making it a very dangerous place. With the typhoon still looming close to Taiwan, authorities have cordoned the area off. People who fail to comply with the restrictions face a fine of up to US$1,600.