Flying Sand a Seasonal Headache for Hualien|東北季風颳起揚塵 花蓮河床漫天風沙

Due to the effects of the northeast monsoon and dry weather, many of Hualien's rivers have run dry in recent days. This has resulted in flying sand over an area of several kilometers that is affecting both road visibility and air quality. Hualien residents and tourist have been advised to put on surgical masks before heading outside.


There is sand flying all over the place around the Hualien River estuary. Visibility is very poor on Hualien Bridge, and scooter drivers are having trouble keeping their eyes open.

(Have you seen anything like this before?) No, this is the first time we've seen this. Did you get sand in your eyes? Yes. (It's uncomfortable?) Yes.

The northeast monsoon is carrying sand from riverbeds inland, affecting several kilometers in area. The situation is especially severe around the Liwu River estuary. Local residents say this always happens when rivers run dry during monsoon season, and all they can do is keep their doors and windows shut.

When you combine Category 7 winds with dry weather, rivers run dry. The wind picks up the sand from the riverbeds. The particles are significantly larger than PM2.5.

The Hualien Weather Station says flying sand isn't the same as sandstorms but both pose a risk to people with respiratory conditions. Therefore, Hualien residents and tourists should put on surgical masks before heading outside. The station also says there is currently no way to solve or ameliorate this problem due to geological and geographical factors.



從花蓮市北濱海邊往南就可以發現，花蓮溪出海口被強勁的東北季風揚起漫天風沙，行經花蓮大橋上的車輛視線變得很糟，最慘的是機車騎士眼睛都快要看不見。

機車騎士 林先生表示：「(平常會有看到這樣風吹沙的狀況嗎？) 不會。(第一次看到， 眼睛都進沙子了，是不是？) 對。(不舒服喔？) 對。」

這風吹沙沿著溪床被吹往內路好幾公里，往北秀林鄉立霧溪出海口揚塵情況也是非常嚴重，附近居民表示只要東北季風一來，加上河床沙地乾燥，地面砂石就會隨風狂飄，只能關閉家中門窗，也不知道該怎麼辦。

花蓮氣象站 主任 譚廉表示：「最大陣風快要到七級，然後相對濕度也比較低，所以整個河床大概是比較乾燥，然後如果風比較大，風向對的時候，那比較細的粉塵就會被吹起來，所以基本上它會比PM2.5大很多。」

花蓮氣象站強調，揚塵並非沙塵暴，但對有呼吸道疾病的人來說還是具有威脅，提醒花蓮民眾或是遊客出門最好戴上口罩，至於有沒有辦法降低揚塵問題，因該區域原本就屬於乾燥沙地且面積太廣，目前還沒有辦法透過地表植栽，或是灑水解決。