For the past three days, Taiwan Island has been pounded by torrential rain brought on by Typhoon Mindulle. Latest reports say at least 21 people are dead and more than 10,000 villagers stranded. Much damage is done and more heavy rain is forecast.

Rescuers continued battling on Monday amidst Taiwan's worst floods in 25 years. Tropical storm Mindulle moved in to pound Taiwan with rain that resulted in disastrous flooding after it had left devastation in the Philippines, where it killed at least 32 people. Eleven are still missing.

In Taiwan, the central and southern regions have born the brunt of heavy rains. 21 people have been killed and nine others are missing.

In central Nantou County, more than 10-thousand people have been trapped in nine villages in a mountainous region where roads and bridges have been washed away.

The worst structural damage has been reported in Taichung County, where five hydroelectric power plants were either flooded or covered by mudslides, causing damage worth nearly US$300 million.

According to the local Weather Bureau, the heavy rain may continue to batter central and southern Taiwan until Wednesday.

(CCTV.com July 6, 2004)