Typhoon Bilis, which hit Taiwan last night is one of the biggest Typhoons we have seen for some time -- officially classed as a "category 5" or "super typhoon," it is 600km in diameter, longer than the entire length of Taiwan, with gusts of up to 322kph and estimated to dump around 450mm of rain. It is the strongest typhoon to hit Asia this year.
Wary of the criticism it sustained after the Pachang Creek incident, the government has gone on high alert for Bilis which might afford a chance for an overall check-up of Taiwan's typhoon protection system and crisis management capability.
After last year's 921 earthquake, the Executive Yuan appointed three ministers without portfolio to oversee reconstruction efforts. The Pachang Creek incident also brought about a major restructuring of both central and local disaster prevention systems, with Vice Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
These, plus the recent passage of the Disaster Prevention Law (災害防救法), have raised Taiwan's disaster prevention capabilities to the best level possible. In this respect, Bilis provides a real-life drill and a test for Taiwan's new disaster prevention system.
Last year's 921 earthquake and the large number of aftershocks in its wake have caused landslides across central Taiwan. The heavy rains brought by Typhoon Bilis can easily trigger another barrage of mudslides. As many as 370 rivers and streams across Taiwan are facing possible mudslides during and following the storm. To minimize casualties, the government should evacuate residents from danger zones as soon as possible. Many earthquake victims in central Taiwan are now still living in prefabricated houses or other temporary housing. The government should move them to safe places to prevent possible danger.
In 1997 Chen, Taipei's mayor at the time, and his family, were on vacation in Europe when Typhoon Winnie hit Taiwan. Chen was slammed by other political parties for not cutting his vacation short and returning home. This time, Bilis' passage has coincided with Chen's six-country diplomatic tour. Chen has been in touch with Premier Tang Fei (唐飛) and the vice premier to coordinate disaster prevention measures. In a broader sense, Bilis will also be a test of Taiwan's entire government mechanism.
Disaster prevention is a domestic matter that usually does not require direct presidential supervision. But the president is the supreme commander of the armed forces, which often play an important role in disaster relief work. Bilis will be a test of the president's ability to monitor and organize relief measures from afar.
Just before Bilis' arrival, prosecutors seized a large quantity of earthquake relief supplies at a house owned by Wu Chao-feng (吳朝豐), mayor of Chungliao township in Nantou County. Wu is also suspected of misappropriating earthquake reconstruction funds. If Wu is found to have embezzled disaster relief, he and others like him should be given the most extreme punishment the law allows. In the aftermath of Bilis, an important task will be to send relief aid in a most efficient way to people who most needed them -- and to keep the hands of greedy officials off the supplies and funds.
The government set a new precedent yesterday by officially calling a holiday in the afternoon, even though the heart of the typhoon was only expected to hit the country at midnight -- an indication that the government is on the lookout for any possible mishaps. The typhoon holidays will certainly have an impact on industry, but when it comes to natural disasters, an ounce of care beforehand is better than a barrel of regret afterward.
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