TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Heavy rain in Hualien on Monday (April 22) caused a landslide that blocked the Suhua Highway and Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRC) railway traffic.

The landslide blocked Provincial Highway No. 9 at the 160.71-km mark, per CNA. The mudflow also reached the TRC North-Link Line below, blocking trains between Horen Station and Chongde Station in Hualien County's Xiulin Township. 

The TRC said trains in the area were safe and unaffected and an emergency response team was activated at 2:50 p.m. The TRC said heavy rains were continuing, and mud and rocks were still pouring downwards onto the tracks from Provincial Highway No. 9, making it impossible to access the site for emergency repairs. 

It was estimated that railway traffic would not be restored until late at night.

The TRC adjusted train schedules. Trains No. 228, 428, 232, 236, 432, and 434 will depart from Su'aoxin Station bound for Shulin Station, stopping at their originally scheduled stations. Trains No. 439, 441, 445, and 447 will depart from Hualien Station bound for Taitung Station and stop at their scheduled stations. 

At 4 p.m. on Monday, southbound trains from Taipei to the east coast were suspended, while northbound trains will operate only up to Hualien.

A passenger onboard told CNA that due to heavy rain in the Heren section, rocks could be heard hitting the roof of the carriages. The passenger said, "The roof of Car No. 426 is covered with large rocks and is stuck inside the tunnel."

The CWA issued a heavy rain advisory for Hualien County for an accumulation of as much as 80 mm within 24 hours or 40 mm within one hour as a weather front approaches.