Flood risk governance is a very important task which the government must undertake continuously, Premier Jiang Yi-huah reiterated at today's Cabinet meeting.
"Central and local officials should solemnly face this issue irrespective of their political differences. Rather than resorting to the much-criticized stopgap approach, governments should investigate the causes of their flooding problems and address them from the perspective of overall land planning to provide citizens with safe and long-lasting living environments," Jiang said.
The premier requested that the new task force convened by Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo, which will over the next three months evaluate the results of the government's soon-to-conclude eight-year, NT$80 billion (US$2.7 billion) program to establish water control works in flood-prone areas, consult not only related ministries but also scholars and experts for their views.
The task force must thoroughly scrutinize the efficacy of past projects implemented by both central and local governments, undertaking its mission without bias or preconceptions and conducting in-depth reviews and analyses, the premier demanded.
Jiang also directed the task force to formulate the next phase of the government's water control program. It should include approaches such as land-use planning, integrated water control, elevated flood barriers and watershed management, he said, as well as determine which strategies are most effective and allocate funds accordingly to ensure every dollar is put to good use.
Southern Taiwan and the Keelung area experienced torrential downpours from August 29 to 31 due to tropical storm Kong-Rey and its subsequent effect on regional atmospheric circulation. According to Central Weather Bureau data, over 100 millimeters of rain fell within one hour at 24 locations, many of which also registered over 500 mm of rain within 24 hours. Such voluminous precipitation resulted in heavy flooding in Yunlin County, Chiayi County and Tainan City. The premier has inspected the circumstances in each of these areas along with Keelung City and issued relevant directives.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs should swiftly distribute NT$20,000 (US$669) of central government flooding relief funds to each qualifying household, Jiang instructed. He also asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare to supervise the local governments in relieving afflicted areas and coordinate with the Relieve Disaster Foundation to provide relocation assistance and emergency aid to affected citizens.
"Assessments of losses and distribution of relief grants should be conducted quickly and generously to allow citizens to swiftly return to their normal lifestyles," the premier emphasized.
As total agricultural losses due to the storm are estimated to be as high as NT$700 million (US$23.4 million), Jiang instructed the Council of Agriculture (COA) to keep track of the particular circumstances of each county and municipality and direct local governments to accelerate their damage surveys. To help farmers speedily recover and return to farming, cities and counties whose residents' damages meet the standard specified in the Implementation Rules of Agricultural Natural Disaster Relief must be informed immediately of their entitlements to distribute aid and low-interest loans to victims, Jiang said.
As torrential rains damaged some fruit and vegetable production areas, the premier asked the COA to ramp up supply allocation to prevent excessive fluctuation in produce prices.
Since the Mid-Autumn Festival (which falls on Sept. 19 this year) is soon to arrive, Jiang also requested the price stabilization task force, convened yesterday by Vice Premier Mao, to discuss steadying measures and quickly move to adjust the supply and distribution of necessary ingredients for the festival's specialty dishes so that produce, fishery and livestock markets are well-stocked for the holiday season.