Torrential rains have triggered massive flooding in northern Taiwan, claiming at least one life and marooning hundreds of people in their homes. One man was found dead in an underground passage in northern Taoyuan County early Saturday, becoming the first casualty of the flooding that started overnight, a national fire agency official told AFP. He added that there was no immediate report of other casualties or injuries. In the low-lying town of Shichih, north of Taipei, water reached the first floor of many homes and forcing residents to retreat to higher ground. Rescue workers braved downpours to evacuate people in inflatable boats to safety, but police said some 1,000 people were feared trapped in Shichih. Authorities said heavy rain could cause further flooding from the swollen Keelung River north of Taipei. In the capital, people rushed to pile up sandbags around the entrances of underground rail stations and pedestrian passages. Floods have caused disruption of business and traffic in some parts of Taipei dumping 763 millimetres (30.5 inches) of rain in the worst-hit Nankang area in 33 hours. Minor mudslides occurred in mountain areas in Taipei and the northern Keelung city, with no damage reported. The central weather bureau said torrential rains were likely to continue in northern, northeastern and central Taiwan and warned of mudslides in mountain regions over the weekend. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Torrential rains have triggered massive flooding in northern Taiwan 11 September. (AFP)