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Full evacuation plans are on the way, minister says

Reacting to a mudslide triggered by Typhoon Haima which killed four members of the same family in Hsinchu County on the weekend, Minister of the Interior Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) yesterday said he had asked the Council of Agriculture to draw up a comprehensive evacuation plan for vulnerable areas.

"Disaster Prevention Law [災害防救法] Article 214 grants city mayors and county commissioners the right to forcibly evacuate. The responsibility to evacuate therefore falls on heads of local governments," Su said yesterday. "The central government's role is instead to offer weather-related information and provide assistance to local governments in the decision-making process."

Su said the tragedy took place because the victims of the Hsinchu mudslide had refused to evacuate despite being strongly advised to do so by local authorities.

"The Disaster Prevention Law says that those who refuse to evacuate face a fine of between NT$50,000 and NT$250,000," Su said. "Unfortunately, this tragedy has already taken place. But the decision to fine people or grant financial aid rests with the local government."

As an example of specific measures to be implemented during an evacuation order, Su said that within a few hours after written advice to evacuate has been issued, a fine should be imposed if residents refuse to comply.

"A database of areas prone to mudslides should also be established so that local governments can more efficiently implement evacuation plans," he said.

Su cited evacuation procedures in Florida as a model from which Taiwan could learn.

"Because of the hurricane that hit Florida, 500,000 people were forced to evacuate. I hope our public will similarly cooperate [with the government]," Su said.

But he also expressed concern that some members of the public are not cautious enough, blaming the government for executing reasonable safety measures.

"If an evacuation warning is issued but no mudslide occurs, then some people will blame the government for an unnecessary evacuation."

Su has also asked the Council of Indigenous Peoples and local governments to set up well-stocked shelters so that people forced to evacuate will feel a little more comfortable.

He said that the costs incurred for evacuating and sheltering residents will be met by the central government.
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