Typhoon leaves destruction in its wake

By Rich Chang
STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005, Page 2

A large tree is uprooted in front of the household registration office in Yanshuei Township, Tainan County yesterday, after Typhoon Haitang hit the nation with heavy winds and rain. PHOTO: YANG CHING-CHEN, TAIPEI TIMES

Heavy brought on by Typhoon Haitang made river water levels across Taipei County rise swiftly, but the operation of the Yuanshanzih water channel (員山仔分洪道) diverted most of the flood waters away from the Sijhih City (汐止) and the town of Wudu (五堵) yesterday.

"I am satisfied with the operation of Yuanshanzih channel," said Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday morning as he watched the operation of the channel. "It prevented the area along Keelung River from becoming too flooded as a result of the typhoon."

The channels diverting excessive water around Keelung and the northeast of Taipei County were in operation since Saturday night, after heavy rains caused the Keelung River level to rise swiftly.

Sijhih City, Wudu and lower area of Neihu did not receive substantial amounts of flooding, officials said.

For their own safety, Hsieh urged people not to visit the channel, and residents living in the surrounding areas were evacuated. However, the residents of more than 10 households in Rueifang Township (瑞芳鎮) along the sluiceway refused to leave their homes and stay at a temporary shelter. Local police arrived later and forced them to leave their homes.

A Jianshih Township, Hsinchu County resident yesterday points to a road which collapsed by about half a meter due to the heavy rains brought by Typhoon Haitang. PHOTO: TSAI MENG-SHANG, TAIPEI TIMES

The mountainous Wulai (烏來) area has received a lot of rain since Saturday night.

Local have been on alert, and had taken appropriate measures in response to the rising water levels.

Torrential also whipped through Taipei on Sunday and yesterday. Powerful winds uprooted trees, dislodged billboards and blew over scooters all over the nation's northeast. The storm's full impact was hit Taipei early yesterday evening when its eye was just south of the city.

Two people struggle to hold up their umbrellas yesterday amid the strong winds brought by Typhoon Haitang. The typhoon forced the closure of government offices, financial markets, schools and airports across the nation. PHOTO: LU CHUN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES

Taipei's busy streets were mostly deserted, and air and rail services came to a standstill.

Hsieh also criticized the Taipei City Government for not dispatching enough workers to clean the garbage and debris left strewn about the streets. More than 25,000 households in Taipei County lost power on Saturday night, most of them in Shilin, Beitou and Yangmingshan, but power was later restored.

Investigators collect evidence at a Gucci store located on Taipei's Zhongshan North Road yesterday. One of the store's windows was broken yesterday morning, and 86 luxury bags and accessories of the famous Italian fashion brand were stolen. PHOTO: CHEN JUNG-FONG, TAIPEI TIMES

Police a Gucci shop on Zhongshan N Rd was broken into, and 86 pieces of designer merchandise were stolen. The losses amounted to over NT$1 million. Police said suspects broke glass windows at about 5am yesterday morning and entered the shop. The thieves may have used the noise from strong winds and rain conceal their crime, they added.

In other developments, the Ministry of National Defense said it has set up a typhoon disaster relief center and would assist municipal workers or police if necessary.