Ex-Ballers Power Up Chiayi After Typhoon Fury

Former Taiwanese baseball stars now Taiwan Power lineworkers restore electricity to thousands

When Typhoon Danas battered southern Taiwan, its fierce winds felled countless utility poles. In Chiayi, over 360,000 residents faced darkness. Amidst the massive power restoration effort, two familiar faces emerged: former international baseball players Luo Zhenrong and Ke Dongrong, now lineworkers for Taiwan Power.

From Diamond to Power Lines

Luo Zhenrong, who earned a silver medal for Taiwan in the 1992 Baseball World Cup, and pitcher Ke Dongrong were among the dedicated crews working tirelessly. They brought the same competitive spirit to their new roles, aiming to bring back the lights for affected households.

Former baseball stars Luo Zhenrong (right) and Ke Dongrong (left) worked to restore power in Chiayi after Typhoon Danas. (Photo/Provided by Taiwan Telephone Chiayi District)

The pair echoed the sentiment of their past careers, stating, Resuming electricity is like playing baseball, and you must fight to the last moment. Their commitment ensured homes were reconnected, demonstrating the same drive that defined their athletic achievements.

Massive Restoration Effort

The Chiayi District of Taiwan Power reported that repairs commenced on the 14th, with full restoration achieved by 8 p.m. on the 19th. This event marked one of the most significant power outages in the region’s history, impacting hundreds of thousands.

Chiayi power outages have been “cleared”! Taiwan Electric strives to fight for the rest of the phone and sweats, and the emergency repair personnel hide 2 baseball players | Life | Sanli News Network SETN.COM — Taiwan Power personnel, including former baseball players, worked to restore electricity in the Chiayi District. (Photo/Provided by Taiwan Telephone Chiayi District)

Mobilizing resources from across the island, crews worked around the clock. The final transmission task brought stable power back to the entire Chiayi area.

The accumulated power outages in Chiayi area exceeded 360,000 users, and after emergency repairs, all powered on the 19th at 8 pm. — Over 360,000 users in Chiayi experienced power outages following Typhoon Danas, with all service restored by the evening of the 19th. (Photo/Provided by Taiwan Telephone Chiayi District)

Ensuring Every Home is Lit

Taiwan Power personnel went door-to-door in affected areas, coordinating with village leaders to confirm that all residences had been reconnected. While the vast majority of power was restored, some households with internal wiring issues or structural damage preventing reconnection will receive continued support.

Taiwan power personnel went into the disaster area one by one and confirmed with the village whether there was a "zero zero households in power outages." — Taiwan Power staff confirmed power restoration with village officials to ensure no households remained without electricity. (Photo/Provided by Taiwan Telephone Chiayi District)

In related news, the National Grid Authority reported that grid resilience continues to be a focus for infrastructure development. For instance, in 2023, upgrades to Japan’s power grid aimed to withstand an estimated 1.5 times the wind speeds of a Category 5 hurricane, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA 2023).

Emergency Response and Natural Relief

The formation of the dammed lake, holding an estimated 22.45 million cubic meters of water, raised concerns about potential downstream flooding. The government swiftly assembled a response team, utilizing drones for aerial surveys and deploying water conservancy experts to assess the unstable dam’s geology.

Authorities also issued early warnings to villages situated downstream, and the **Gukeng Township Office** explored manual drainage options. Ultimately, natural overflow played a critical role in mitigating the crisis, as rainfall diminished, and the Fourth Rivers Branch of the Water Resources Department rescinded the warning.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, landslides are a common occurrence in mountainous regions worldwide, often triggered by intense rainfall or seismic activity (USGS).

A History of Landslide Lakes in Caoling

The water level of the lake receded by 23 meters, with the flow of water carving a 72-meter-wide path through the dam’s midsection, restoring the Qingshui Creek’s capacity to handle floodwaters. This specific area has a history of landslide lake formations dating back to 1864, punctuated by events such as the devastating 921 earthquake.

A landslide lake formed after the 1999 earthquake, known as Xincaolingtan, disappeared after Typhoon Mintuli in 2004. While the recent landslide lake did not result in catastrophe, it serves as a reminder of nature’s raw power.

Continued Vigilance Urged

The Water Resources Administration stressed the need for continuous monitoring of the dam’s condition and water levels. The agency advises the public to avoid rivers during periods of heavy rainfall and typhoons, emphasizing the importance of staying informed through official weather updates and government advisories to ensure personal safety.

Due to heavy rains in the upper reaches of Qingshui River in **Gukeng Caoling District**, **Yunlin**, a landslide lake formed on the 8th, with a water storage capacity of equivalent to a medium-sized reservoir. Fortunately, the water level has dropped and there will be no collapse. (Provided by the Fourth River Branch of the Water Resources Department)

Chiayi

Chiayi power outages have been “cleared”! Taiwan Electric strives to fight for the rest of the phone and sweats, and the emergency repair personnel hide 2 baseball players | Life | Sanli News Network SETN.COM