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Nari's victims pick up the pieces, count their losses

President Chen Shui-bian, center, walks in the mud supported by his aides yesterday as he inspects the disaster area in Neihu hit by Nari. PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES

Though Typhoon Nari has moved far beyond Taipei, many caught in the storm's path of destruction were still picking up the pieces and counting their losses yesterday.

As of midnight, the number of deaths in Taipei City stood at 19, with another six missing and 135 injured, according to the municipal fire department.

Nari was downgraded to a tropical storm yesterday.

The city government also reported that six houses were destroyed and 49 homes were partially damaged.

More than 810,000 people in the greater Taipei area were still without electricity as of press time yesterday, and 18,000 families were without drinking water. More than 290,000 homes were without phone services.

The city plans to open most schools and government work offices today.

In Taipei County, the death toll came to 15, with 10 still missing.

Twenty-five houses were destroyed and another two partially damaged, according to the county government's fire department.

Livestock losses were estimated at more than NT$55 million and over 70 hectares of rice paddies were submerged.

In Keelung City, nine people were reported dead and three missing.

The county will also reopen most schools and government offices today except in Shihchih City, Rueifang Township, Shuangshi Village, Pingshih Village and Kongliao Village.

The county government called on the areas spared by the storm to donate mineral water, dried foods, sleeping bags, batteries and flashlights.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) also continued to inspect various areas in Taipei that were ravaged by Nari as government offices, financial markets, schools and most businesses in the capital city remained closed for a second day yesterday.

Donning rubber boots and wearing a solemn expression on his face, Chen listened to briefings on ongoing disaster relief operations as he stood on the basement train platform at the Taipei Railway Station.

The station had been completely flooded like many other underground areas around the city the previous day, when Nari dumped record-breaking amounts of rainfall on northern Taiwan.

The president instructed all related government agencies to step up relief efforts and ordered the military to mobilize even more troops to help with rescue and clean-up operations as the storm stubbornly refused to leave Taiwan, staying stationary over the central part of the nation.

Chen also traveled to the city's Nankang and Neihu suburbs to inspect the flood damage there.

Call 02-8127-1142 to arrange donations of essential items. Cash donors can send money to the county's social affairs bureau at the Panchiao branch of the Bank of Taiwan. The account number is 027-038-002-803.
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