19 dead in Taiwan floods

Rescuers battled 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 today.

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 missing.

In Taiwan, 19 have been killed and nine are missing and feared dead.

Heavy rains may batter central and southern Taiwan until Wednesday, the Central Weather Bureau said.

In central Nantou County, more than 10,000 residents were trapped in nine villages in a mountainous region after roads and bridges were washed away. Many sought shelter at churches or public schools after their homes were destroyed by mudslides, officials said.

The army sent 1,000 soldiers to rescue villagers and tourists trapped in the flood-devastated regions, officials said.

Helicopters hovered around the areas, but were unable to drop food and supplies because of bad weather conditions.