TORENTIAL RAINS POUND SOUTHERN TAIWAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 002641

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO AIT/W AND EAP/RSP/TC

STATE PLEASE ALSO PASS TO USEPA/OIA

FROM AIT KAOHSIUNG BRANCH OFFICE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT SENV ECON KSCA KPAO TW ESTH
SUBJECT: TORENTIAL RAINS POUND SOUTHERN TAIWAN


1. Summary. Torrential rains have pounded southern Taiwan
for several days, severely damaging agricultural operations
and disrupting both air and ground transportation. At least
seven people have died in storm related incidents and 2,000
people are trapped in mountainous areas in Pingtung County
due to landslides cutting off road access. Officials expect
damage to mount as rains are expected to continue for
several more days. There is worry that damage may spread to
central Taiwan as the heavy rains move northward. Political
infighting has stalled funding for proposed government flood
control programs. End Summary


Heavy Rain and Landslides
--------------


2. Torrential rains continue to batter southern Taiwan as a
storm front has lingered over the island for several days,
causing severe flooding in southern Taiwan. Daily rainfall
amounts for each of the last five days have exceeded the
historical averages for a normal month of June. Flooding
was worst in Pingtung and Kaohsiung Counties, with
additional major crop damage in Tainan County. At least
seven people have died in the floods, which local officials
describe as the worst in 30 years. Schools in Pingtung
County and some southern cities were closed on June 13.


3. Heavy rains have severely disrupted air and ground
transportation, with many flights being cancelled and major
roads closed. Tainan and Hengchun Airports were closed for
most of June 12 and 13. Route 17, and major connector in
Pingtung County has been closed in several locations due to
flooding and landslides. Major bridges in Kaohsiung,
Pingtung and Chiayi counties have been closed to traffic.


4. About 40,000 households in Pingtung County lost
electricity, but most had power restored quickly. The
Central Weather Bureau continues to issue warnings against
heavy rains island wide. The Council of Agriculture has
also issued a red alert landslide warning for 116 creeks in
southern Taiwan. Residents of these areas have been
cautioned to be on alert for more landslides and flooding as
it is estimated that the rain will last until next week.
Emergency authorities have called in military troops and
equipment to aid in rescue and evacuation efforts. Local
weather officials expect the heavy rain to gradually move
into central Taiwan over the next few days, prompting fears
of more flooding there. Central Taiwan suffered heavy
flooding earlier in the year during another period of heavy
rainfall.

Agricultural and Economic Impact
--------------


5. The Council of Agriculture estimates damage to
agricultural losses at approximately NT$170 million,
including NT$107 million in crops, NT$66 million in
livestock and NT$0.5 million in fisheries. Kaohsiung County
suffered the most agricultural damage, with NT$17.2 million
in losses, but Agricultural officials say those figures will
be revised upwards as the rains are expected to continue for
several days. An estimated 2,474 hectares of crops have
been flooded, with 27 percent of these fields having their
crops completely destroyed.


6. Rice, leafy vegetables and various seasonal fruits were
the hardest hit. Prices for these items in Kaohsiung
markets are five to ten times normal levels, and leafy
vegetables are particularly scarce. On 13 June, heavy rains
concentrated in Tainan County had a severe impact on
agricultural operations there. Agricultural officials are
still estimating the damage, but expect most farmers in the
region to quality for government assistance. They said that
estimated damage will likely double as new assessments come
in. The Department of Finance stated that those who
suffered from the flooding could apply for government
subsidies as well as several tax exemptions. Agriculture
officials say that the damage to livestock was limited due
to the fact that most hog raising operations in the Kaoping
River basin, the area hardest hit by the flooding, had been
relocated to other areas in 2003. Their relocation was part
of a government-led effort to reduce pollution from farm
runoff in order to clean up the Kaoping River, which
supplies most of the drinking water for Kaohsiung City.

Government Reaction
--------------


7. In response to the flooding, on June 13 Premier Frank
Hsieh urged the Legislative Yuan (LY) to pass a bill for an
eight-year NT$80 billion flood-control project. That bill
was forwarded to the LY by the Executive Yuan is in limbo as
it awaits the next LY session in September. Earlier this
month, the Democratic Progress Party (DPP) suggested holding
a special LY session in July to focus on bills such as this
which it claims are urgent. Opposition parties have yet to
agree to the plan.