Rescuers whisked thousands of people to safety yesterday as Typhoon Nari swept across northern and central parts of the country, the National Fire Administration said.
A total of 8,661 people in northern and central parts of the country were taken to shelters or other locations after the typhoon caused extensive damage to homes and neighborhoods, the fire administration said.
Nantou County in central Taiwan reported the highest number of evacuees and rescued people at 4,199, the fire administration said.
Taipei City followed close behind, with 2,105 people taken to safety. The city also suffered the largest amount of property damage.
Forty-six shelters were opened in Keelung City, Taipei City and County, Ilan County, Taoyuan County and Nantou County.
Rescue and evacuation missions were jointly conducted by the military and their civilian counterparts, including the police and volunteers.
The military mobilized more than 3,600 soldiers to assist in rescue and evacuation work, the Ministry of National Defense said.
Besides manpower, the military also contributed more than 80 vehicles to efforts yesterday, the defense ministry said.
The military has set up a forward command center in Hsichih township, Taipei Country, to coordinate operations, the defense ministry said. Hsichih was one of the areas most severely hit by the typhoon.
The command center is under the jurisdiction of the army's 6th corps commander Lieutenant General Tai Po-te (
Neither General Tang nor Minister of National Defense Wu Shih-wen (
"But this does not mean they are unconcerned. They just do not want to disturb soldiers busy with rescue operations," a ministry spokesman said.
Civilian rescue teams from the south yesterday rushed to the north to pitch in.
Kaohsiung City sent 52 rescuers to Taipei City, taking with them essential equipment such as water pumps, rubber boats and power generators, said the Kaohsiung City Government.
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