After visiting the Central Emergency Operation Center to hear the latest developments on Typhoon Soulik this morning, Premier Jiang Yi-huah visited Taoyuan County to survey conditions after the storm swept through the area overnight.
While inspecting Shihmen Reservoir, the premier touted the effectiveness of a newly opened desilting tunnel that not only removes large volumes of sediment from water but also extends the life expectancy of the reservoir. He directed the Water Resources Agency (WRA) to promote this type of facility at other reservoirs.
Jiang said the purpose of his visit was to make certain that water sediment levels were safe for households nearby. After three years of construction, the tunnel was put to use for the first time today, removing 60,000 tons of sediment from the base of the dam in a two-hour period. At this rate, it can eliminate up to 720,000 tons of sediment a day, a huge improvement over traditional dredging operations that could only remove 420,000 tons in an entire year.
In addition, stratified water pumps were installed at Shihmen Reservoir last year as another means of maintaining water quality in the area. Jiang encouraged the WRA to apply these success models to other dams such as the Zengwen Reservoir.
Later, the premier visited the Taoyuan County Indigenous Culture Center, which is serving as a temporary storm shelter for 48 members of the Kanjin tribe, a local Amis community. Jiang greeted the residents and inquired about conditions at the shelter and at their homes. He also reminded them to wait until the storm hazards are cleared before returning home.
Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo and Executive Yuan Office of Disaster Management Director Shih Tseng-kang accompanied the premier on today's tour.