Premier Jiang Yi-huah today called on government agencies to make every effort to alleviate flooding problems in a part of Kaohsiung City that had already been torn up by powerful underground pipeline blasts nearly two weeks ago.
While inspecting damage in the explosion-stricken area, the premier was briefed on the military's disaster-recovery efforts and central government's deployment of water pumps. With torrential rainfall causing extensive flooding in recent days, the central government has deployed 36 water pumps to Kaohsiung while the Tainan City Government has provided five. Agencies must make the most effective use of these pumps, Jiang said, and if more are needed, the central government will assist in every way it can.
The gas explosions have been traumatic to the residents and have left a significant impact on their daily lives and mental well-being, Jiang noted. He hopes agencies will provide affected residents with the best services possible.
Deeply concerned for the welfare of disaster victims, the premier also listened closely to the grievances of a disaster-recovery "self-help group" on this trip. Responding to complaints about post-disaster reconstruction, the premier said he would speak to Minister without Portfolio Yang Chiu-hsing and legislators from Kaohsiung and come up with a solution for affected residents.
As for emergency relief funds, the premier said he would talk to Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu about expediting release of the funds from the city's Social Affairs Bureau. Regarding concerns of stagnant flood water triggering dengue fever and other diseases, Jiang pointed out that the army has been spraying insecticide on a daily basis, and that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been especially instructed to take precautions to prevent the spread of disease.
When the self-help group pointed out that employees of businesses damaged in the blasts will be unable to work temporarily, the premier said he will ask the Ministry of Labor to coordinate with Kaohsiung's Labor Affairs Bureau to assist such employees.
As for the estimated NT$1.9 billion (US$63.2 million) needed to rebuild the neighborhood, the Executive Yuan has announced that the first NT$300 million (US$9.98 million) should be borne by Kaohsiung City's disaster reserve fund, and that all actual costs beyond that will be covered in full by the central government.
To ease the floods that have resulted from damaged drainage facilities, the Executive Yuan has already directed the Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs to send 21 large water pumps to Kaohsiung. Ten pumps were in use as of 10 a.m. today, and another 11 were on standby, to be deployed wherever needed depending on rain and floods levels. The Ministry of National Defense has also readied 15 small and mid-size water pumps in disaster areas.
Since the gas explosions took place, the armed forces have continually dispatched troops and equipment to assist in relief efforts. On August 12 alone, the military provided 351 soldiers, 28 vehicles, 30 engineering machines, 10 inflatable rafts, 53 rescue devices and 30 pieces of protective equipment. From July 31 to August 12, a total of 10,022 soldiers were sent to help, the vehicles were deployed 912 times, engineering machines 194 times, rafts 50 times, rescue devices 2,031 times and protective equipment 1,595 times.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has mobilized 15 experts, three environmental monitoring vehicles, and five portable environmental monitoring instruments from its Environmental Analysis Laboratory and toxic substance emergency response centers to help with gas detection in the disaster area. In addition, a team of environmental inspectors and toxic substance response personnel from the EPA's southern branches has been stationed in Fongshan District to check on flammable and explosive gases.
The Centers for Disease Control has also sent additional personnel from its Kaohsiung and Pingtung offices to help prevent disease outbreaks in the area after the blasts. A total of 98 staff are checking and cleaning up mosquito breeding sites to control vector-borne diseases.
Premier Jiang later attended a memorial service held by religious groups commemorating victims of the July 31 Kaohsiung blasts and the July 23 Penghu plane crash. He prayed for the deceased and expressed deep condolences to their family members. Jiang also attended a funeral service to mourn three members of the Kaohsiung City Government Fire Bureau who had died in the line of duty—Chief Secretary Lin Ji-ze, Squad Captain Liu Yao-wen and Chenggong Branch Officer Wang Zhong.