Torrential rains have been wreaking havoc in southern Taiwan for the past two days, destroying more than a dozen bridges in the process. Rescue teams are racing with time to save stranded victims, as well as to evacuate local residents.

.

Mountainous areas in Southern Taiwan have seen a record rainfall since the 88 flooding last year, given the interval heavy rain starting from Sunday afternoon.

The river water surges quickly, ruining the makeshift roads of the Namasia township in Kaohsiung County, trapping passing cars.

Excavators are used to rescue the trapped individuals since the river water is running rapidly .

A flood prevention worker in Taoyuan township was also trapped in a riverbed, fortunately he was rescued by firefighters.

The sudden torrential rain in midnight flooded the mountain ditches in Shanlin township.

Worried over possible landslides, 11 families asked help from the fire department to evacuate them in midnight.

As of Tuesday morning, almost all the makeshift bridges or roads to mountainous areas have been washed away or closed, leaving Namasia, Taoyuan, Liuqui and Wutai township trapped.

Since the rain is less intense in the morning, the military,

which has stationed in disaster-hit townships before the traffic was disrupted, has begun efforts to restore traffic access.

But since the 10-kilometer long makeshift road of Namasia Township is still in the riverbed, it is unlikely to have the traffic restored in two days.