Shovel Heroes
Photo by Chi Hsiang-Ju / river.udn
The Rise of "Shovel Superheroes"
In the face of disaster, Taiwan witnessed a rare civic phenomenon. From a father and son's online call to "play in the mud," people of all ages dropped everything and converged on Hualien. These strangers became "Shovel Superheroes," eventually evolving into a system of specialized aid. This isn't just a rescue; it is the powerful realization of Taiwanese civic consciousness.
A barrier lake was formed in July of 2025, 9 kilometers nearby Wanrung Township because of heavy rain fall brought by Typhoon Wipha, Guanfu Township and Wanrung Township had already conducted a precautionary evacuation because of Typhoon Podul’s passage. The barrier lake near Wanrung Township’s maximum storage capacity is 82,370,000 tones which is one of the most significant amount of storage capacity Taiwan had observed. In September 23rd 2025, Typhoon Ragasa brought extreme precipitation to Hualian, and it caused the overtopping of the barrier lake. Approximately 15,400,000 tones of water had inundated into Guanfu downtown, and this became the most serious barrier outburst event inTaiwan’s record history.
BACKGROUND
Source: Mataian Creek Barrier Lake (Quake Lake) Taiwan (PTS Our Island, Episode 1340, 2026-01-05).
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTxri7GLsK4
The origin of Shovel Heroes
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Where did they come from?
The cause was a video that a local Hualien braised food shop owner posted on social media, inviting people from across the islands to come to “play with mud”, using light humor to inspire Taiwanese people’s cohesion and volunteering spirit.
02
What did they do?
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Everyone all used their separate expertises to help the residents, for example: Chefs cooked up large amounts of rice to replenish the starving volunteers while masseurs at the train station provided massages to help people relieve stress.
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Medics from all over the country came to help at the disaster site on their own accords, coordinating with local medical stations and performing their own professions
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On the other hand, Students without special professions use shovels and water buckets to clean out mud and sewage from their homes
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Volunteers all contributed their own efforts to help residents in the disaster area
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They have to adhere to a crucial rule when entering the disaster area as volunteers — “take care of yourself in order to help others”
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The inspiration they gave to the public
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Shovel Heroes did not just shovel out mud, but they also relieved despair and helplessness from the victims.
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Being a volunteer is something everyone could all do; if you are willing to use your actions to help, more people could be saved
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Even though the environment was harsh and treacherous (lacking water and electricity, filled with lingering stench), they still chose to contribute as volunteers
The Science of Danger
Why the shovels? Because the earthquake cut deep wounds into the land. When mountains collapse and rivers are blocked, deadly "landslide dams" form. Despite early warnings, lives were still lost. This drastic landscape change turned silt-clearing into a race against time for survival.
The Eternal Guardian : Ke Chin-yuan 柯金源
Being present is the only way to see the truth." Ke Chin-yuan, winner of the 21st National Award for Arts, has guarded Taiwan for 40 years. He documents the ongoing threat of the Hualien Ma-tai-an Creek landslide dam, exposing the hidden agony of our land. His love for Taiwan drives him from the office to the rugged wilderness, fighting time and oblivion with lifelong devotion.
Civil contract
All Taiwanese people are civilians of the island, its ups and downs are all responsibilities we should shoulder together; for example typhoons: it inflicts damage and depression, but it is also an important source of water for Taiwan. Taiwan experiences many natural disasters annually, learning how to live in harmony with these environments are topics we should all discuss in the near future. The things they relieve from the people with shovels are not only mud and sewage, but also the sense of helplessness and despair within the victims.
From daily sorting to emergency disaster relief—this isn't just about waste; it is Taiwan's most resilient social contract. This is not a one-time rescue, but a civic capacity sustained over time.Between daily life and disaster, Taiwan chooses action.