Rescuers fight Taiwan floods as 19 die and 10,000 stranded

RESCUERS are battling against Taiwan’s worst floods in 25 years, which have killed at least 19 people and stranded 10,000 villagers without fresh water and electricity in mountainous areas, officials said.

Around 200 engineers and workers at five hydroelectric plants were also stranded by raging floodwaters and mudslides, Taiwan’s National Disaster Relief Centre said.

Tropical storm Mindulle pounded Taiwan with rains that sparked disastrous flooding after hitting the Philippines, where it killed at least 32 people and left 11 others missing.