Pumping stations get all the attention during visits

High-level officials inspected pumping stations around the country yesterday and warned the public to be prepared for flooding with the approach of Typhoon Sinlaku.

Premier Yu Shyi-kun traveled to Panchiao City, Taipei County, to inspect a flood-control station on the banks of the Tamsui River and encourage workers there.

Yu called on the public, particularly those living in areas near the river, to be vigilant against flash floods during and after the onslaught of the typhoon.

Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien (余政憲) inspected a pumping station along the Tamsui River, also in Panchiao City, to oversee flood-prevention work.

And Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Yi-fu (林義夫) went to a Tamsui River disaster-prevention center and a pumping station near Keelung City.

Lin told the Taiwan Power Company and the Water Resources Agency to be on high alert against possible damage to nuclear power plants and other infrastructure because of the typhoon.

As the typhoon began to pound northern, central and northeastern Taiwan with torrential rain yesterday, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) visited the Wanfen pumping station, which services the Huangkan and Neikou rivers, tributaries of the Keelung River which are prone to flooding during typhoons.

Ma also inspected the Taipei mass rapid transit system, which was damaged last year during Typhoon Nari. Nari also claimed 88 lives around the country.

"Although, as of now, no major damage has been reported, we must not, however, slack off," Ma told a press conference.

"That's the reason why schools and work places have been ordered to close [on Friday], so that residents can have more time to carry out typhoon-prevention work at home," he said.

According to the Taipei disaster-prevention center, as of 5pm yesterday, 10 trees had fallen and water had accumulated on the streets in a few areas where drains had become blocked.

Although the worst of the typhoon was expected to hit last night, an oversupply of vegetables meant that prices yesterday fell 17 percent.

According to the Council of Agriculture, the fall in the average price of vegetables to NT$20.8 a kilogram from NT$24.8 on Thursday was the result of oversupply.

The vegetable stockpile yesterday of 1,520 tonnes was 120 tonnes higher than on Thursday and 300 tonnes more than average, the council said.

Farmers had harvested their crops early to avoid losses as the typhoon approached, the council said, even though little damage to farmland had been reported by yesterday evening.

Prices may fall again today if farmland is spared from severe flooding, the council said.