Tue, Oct 26, 2004 page1

• At least four die as storm hits Taiwan

  LOCAL DEVASTATION Heavy rains, flooding and severe winds left their mark on the country as Typhoon Nock-Ten came and went yesterday

  • By Chiu Yu-tzu / STAFF REPORTER
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  At least four people died after Typhoon Nock-Ten pounded northern Taiwan with heavy rains and strong winds yesterday. Forecasters from the Central Weather Bureau said yesterday that the weather might turn mild today but lower temperatures are expected.

  Beginning Sunday night, the weather in the nation had become affected by the passage of Nock-Ten. Bureau officials said that the typhoon landed on Toucheng in Ilan yesterday morning and left Taiwan from Tamsui in Taipei County at 1:15pm. Forecasters said that Nock-Ten changed its direction gradually toward the northeast.

  

  Aisan 3rd Road in Keelung suffers the worst flooding since the devastating Typhoon Nari in 2001. Extensive flooding resulting from Typhoon Nock-Ten leaves the usually bustling street deserted.

  PHOTO: TANG SHENG-YANG, TAIPEI TIMES

  According to the bureau, Nock-Ten was centered at a position at sea 80km north of Taipei at 4pm yesterday, and will be 540km northeast of Taipei at 2pm today.

  More than 5,300 foreign fishermen were allowed to shelter in harbors and buildings on land, according to the Cabinet's National Disaster Prevention and Relief Center.

  In nine affected areas, blasts of wind blew shop signs and street lights to the ground and damaged trees. In northern Taiwan, the water surface of the Tamsui, Keeling, Dahan and Sindian Rivers exceeded alarming levels. Accumulated rainfall from midnight on Sunday to 5pm yesterday exceed 300mm in many places in Taipei and Taoyuan Counties, as well as Taipei City.

  However, the worst situation was reported in Taipei County, where the Keelung River rose suddenly due to heavy rains.

  As of press time, the Taipei County Government reported four deaths related to the storm. Rescuers recovered the body of a television reporter near a spillway tunnel in Rueifang. The body of fireman Chen Chih-hsiang (陳志祥), who is stationed in Gongliao, was found in a culvert. According to Chen's colleagues at Taipei County's fire bureau, Chen was washed away by floods as he worked with volunteers to push an ambulance that had broken down.

  Meanwhile, two residents of Shuangsi were drowned by floods while in their homes. In addition, in Wanli, a woman falling into a swollen river yesterday afternoon was reported missing.

  The deaths resulting from the passage of Nock-Ten shocked high ranking officials. President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday afternoon inspected the Cabinet's disaster relief center, urging the establishment of crisis consciousness.

  "Heavy rains in the north will continue, so government officials at all levels -- and residents -- have to be highly alert for possible disasters," Chen said.

  Chen also said he was very sorry for the victims of the typhoon.

  Yesterday morning, the Council of Agriculture (COA) issued landslide and mudflow warnings to residents in 52 areas in three townships in Taoyuan and Hsinchu counties. However, 507 residents of the three townships, including Wufeng, Janshih and Fuhsing, have been evacuated to 13 shelters since Sunday evening.

  Taipei City Government yesterday distributed 360 water pumps for all boroughs to use. Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday visited residents in areas in Nangang District, which is relatively vulnerable to floods, urging an immediate evacuation.

  Around the country, a number of crop fields and aquatic farms in northern and eastern parts of Taiwan were washed away. In addition, many agricultural facilities were also ruined. According to the COA, estimated financial losses in the agricultural sector has reached NT$166.56 million as of yesterday.

  Also See Story:

  Premier Yu finds route to inspection blocked by rockfall
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Dozens of Taiwanese missing in China

  • 2

    Chinese who disrupted HK event deported

  • 3

    Formosan black bear punching Winnie the Pooh badge a hit at Japan festival

  • 4

    PRC could not be ‘motherland,’ William Lai says

  • 5

    Donovan’s Deep Dives: China is already at war with Taiwan and countries across the globe