A total of 430 buildings were damaged by Wednesday’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake, including 18 tagged as “red” zones and 34 as “yellow,” with most of structures concentrated in Hualien County, Taipei, New Taipei City and Keelung, the National Land Management Agency said yesterday.
Agency officials have been busy fielding telephone calls by residents reporting damage and requesting government inspectors to conduct on-site assessments, it said.
A list of 339 professional engineers certified to carry out damage assessment has been compiled, with more to be added in the coming days, it said.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
Following inspections to evaluate building conditions, 18 were listed as “code red,” signifying the highest level of damage, 17 of which were in Hualien County and the other one in Taipei, the agency said in a news release.
Thirty-four were classified as “code yellow” for the secondary level of damage: 14 in Hualien County, and 10 each in Taipei and New Taipei City, it said.
Meanwhile, 194 cases showed minor damage and need not post warning signs, while inspections are still being carried out, the agency said.
“Aftershocks from the main earthquake are still taking place, so people are reminded to avoid entering closed places and roads. People should also refrain from entering areas and roads that have experienced falling rocks and landslides,” it said.
“If they see buildings with obvious signs of tilting, cracks or fissures on the walls, or tiles or pieces falling off the exterior, they should walk on the inside of the first-story walkway to avoid being hit by falling materials,” it said.
The agency also advised people to inspect their own residences for damage.
People should take a close look at the roof beams, pillars, load-bearing walls and floor, concrete spalling and crushed concrete from induced stress, as well as check for exposed steel bars in concrete blocks.
“If any of the above signs are found, contact a professional civil engineer or architect immediately to conduct an on-site inspection,” it said.
Agency officials said the government can provide financial subsidies of up to NT$4.5 million (US$140,375) per case for residents to fix weak load-bearing sections, usually on the first level or lower floors.
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