The Executive Yuan announced at noon on June 11 that the Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) has been raised to a level-2 facility as torrential rains continue to cause flooding in central and southern Taiwan.
Premier Sean Chen assigned high priority to relief operations, designating Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-hsiang as the center's commander. Vice Premier Jiang Yi-huah also arrived at the CEOC at 7 p.m. and presided over the second working meeting. Jiang said the relief work cannot wait as some areas in the south have been deluged with over 100 mm of precipitation in three hours while many other locations have seen over 500 mm in 24 hours. Premier Chen will visit southern Taiwan on June 12 to survey the situation.
As the Central Weather Bureau continues to issue heavy or torrential rain advisories, the premier on June 11 directed all ministries and agencies to take strong disaster-prevention measures and be prepared to support local governments as needed.
With the safety of citizens and rescue personnel as first priority, the Executive Yuan will offer all necessary assistance to evacuate residents from high-risk areas, settle them in temporary shelters, and carry out emergency rescue and relief. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) will issue alerts for reservoir waters discharges, monitor rising water levels at rivers and streams, and work alongside the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) to stay on top of the latest situation. The MOEA's Water Resource Agency has dispatched 15 water pumps to flooded areas in Pingtung County such as Linbian and Jiadong.
The Council of Agriculture and the MOI are also ensuring that evacuations are properly carried out where mudslide warnings have been issued by local governments. So far, 2,905 people have been evacuated in five counties and cities, including Taichung City, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County and Nantou County. Eighteen temporary shelters have been set up and are currently holding 593 displaced residents.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is closely monitoring rivers and streams for backflow of rainwater and have been patrolling unsafe roads and bridges. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has completed deploying combat teams ahead of schedule, standing at the ready to lend their aid wherever necessary. As of June 11, the MND teams have dispatched rescue personnel 300 times.