Premier Mao Chi-kuo today inspected the Wulai areas devastated by Typhoon Soudelor. The premier noted that Wulai was severely ravaged by the storm; however, recovery tasks will not be delayed for a moment and he will personally monitor the progress. He also called upon the public to take precautions and plan ahead for disaster prevention and evacuation not just during typhoon periods but also in times of torrential rain. When a danger sign appears, contingency measures should be taken immediately.
The premier pointed out that Soudelor is the largest typhoon in the past three or four years whether in terms of rain or wind speed. It can be said that Typhoon Soudelor has given a verification test of the disaster-prevention system established by the central and local governments since Typhoon Morakot took hundreds of lives. The mobilizations, preventative preparations, rescue and relief efforts, and even restoration process of the central and local governments have generally proceeded according to the system's guidelines and produced quite effective results, thus minimizing damages.
Soudelor wreaked havoc mainly in terms of agricultural losses, the premier emphasized. The administration will handle the issue with due process. The government will provide areas such as Hualien and Yilan cash subsidies, as their agricultural losses have reached the requisite subsidy standard, whereas other cities and counties can apply for special low-interest loans. The Council of Agriculture (COA) is currently proceeding with this task.
As the typhoon wind speed was extremely strong, numerous agricultural facilities in southern Taiwan such as greenhouses were destroyed. The premier has instructed the COA to prepare NT$5 billion (US$15.95 million) to provide low-interest loans. After completing the field survey of disaster losses, the COA will immediately begin processing the applications for these loans.
With regard to small businesses seeking loans due to their losses, the premier stated that if the New Taipei City Government cannot handle the issue and requires help, the central government will deliberate with the city government to decide how to proceed.
Furthermore, the premier commended Taiwan Power Co. for its efficiency over the past two days. Within one day and night, the company restored power to 95 percent of the more than four million households that suffered blackouts.