A man and a woman collecting stones in a Hualien riverbed are stuck on a cliff ledge after heavy rain sent the water surging, and rescuers cannot reach them yet.

• The pair went to the Mugumuyu area of the Papaya River on Sunday and got cut off when the river rose fast.
• They climbed into a rock cave about six meters up the bank and sent a distress signal from a smartwatch.
• Twelve firefighters and four vehicles went in, but falling rocks and mudflows blocked the route and the river was too fast to cross.
• A drone found their exact spot, and crews air-dropped food, warm clothing, and a radio; both are safe for now.

Outlook: More crews will gather Tuesday morning to try a rope crossing, with the weather still the main obstacle.