MOEA Sets Up Emergency Response Team, Pre-deploys Pumps and Flood Blocks Ahead of Plum Rain Front

(Central News Agency, reporter Xie Yixuan, Taipei, June 8) Considering the impact of a stationary plum rain front and strengthening warm, moist southwest winds, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lai Jian-shin activated an emergency response team and chaired a flood prevention preparedness meeting today. The meeting reviewed various disaster prevention resources, including the pre-deployment of 1,890 large mobile pumps and the preparation of flood prevention blocks, sandbags, and large sandbags (space bags).

The Water Resources Agency issued a press release today stating that due to the impact of heavy rain, it had activated Level 3 emergency response teams on the 4th, 5th, and 7th. Deputy Minister Lai Jian-shin activated the emergency response team and chaired the flood prevention preparedness meeting today. The meeting convened representatives from the Central Weather Administration, the Water Resources Agency, the Energy Administration, the Industrial Park Administration, the Commerce Development Administration, as well as Taiwan Water Corporation (TWC), Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), CPC Corporation, Taiwan (CPC), and Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) to review the preparedness status and instructed the Water Resources Agency to notify all county and city governments to cooperate in disaster prevention.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Lai instructed that in response to the impact of the June 8 heavy rain, the MOEA Disaster Emergency Response Team would be activated at Level 2 at 2:00 PM today. He requested all units to comprehensively inspect the operational status of disaster prevention machinery, flood control equipment, flood protection facilities, and telecommunications equipment. During the transition between drought and flood, especially as the first significant rainfall of the year may bring dead branches and debris, he instructed TWC and all regional water resources branches to inspect water intakes, debris removal equipment, and high-turbidity response measures, including interconnecting pipes, pearl string facilities, or subsurface flow projects, to ensure normal water supply.

Deputy Minister Lai stated that for 22 levee breach construction cases and 116 ongoing construction projects, the applying units or contractors are required to complete preparations by 6:00 PM today in accordance with construction plans or relevant contingency plans. For potentially isolated areas, repair personnel and machinery should be pre-deployed to enhance disaster response efficiency.

The MOEA stated that to meet the challenges of the flood season, the Water Resources Agency has completed supervision of flood prevention preparations in all counties, cities, and branches, and has re-inspected and confirmed that all deficiencies identified in spot checks have been rectified. The Energy Administration, the Industrial Park Administration, the Industrial Development Administration, and state-owned enterprises have also fully completed all disaster prevention preparations, including inspections of solar panels, electricity, water supply, hydraulic structures, flood control facilities, and machinery. They have prepared 176,402 flood prevention blocks, 58,482 sandbags and large sandbags, and 25,504 meters of flood control panels.

The MOEA mentioned that dredging operations in key river areas have completed 29.23 million cubic meters to date, of which the Hualien River and Matai'an River reached 22.1 million cubic meters. In addition, levee restoration projects have been completed ahead of schedule, restoring protection standards and flood discharge capacity.

Furthermore, a comprehensive review of repair personnel, machinery, and vehicle resources has been conducted. A total of 1,890 large mobile pumps have been pre-deployed across Taiwan. TWC has prepared 61 water tankers and 2,099 water tanks for emergency water supply. Taipower has inspected and maintained generators at 525 key substations and 73 mobile generators to strengthen the resilience of the power grid against disasters, meeting the needs for repair, emergency response, and public water and electricity supply during disasters. Each industrial (technology) park management center has prepared 166 pumps and 154 emergency generators, ready for immediate deployment during a disaster.

The MOEA pointed out that it continues to deepen central-local government cooperation, guiding the operation of 597 community-based flood prevention organizations. Through disaster prevention drills and flood prevention preparedness seminars, a joint flood response mechanism for key areas is being established, with attention paid to the elderly living alone or vulnerable groups, thereby enhancing overall disaster resilience.

The MOEA reminded the public that during the flood season, they should always pay attention to the latest weather and water information, proactively clean drainage holes on balconies and surrounding drainage ditches, and appropriately store household water for emergencies. At the same time, they can make good use of disaster prevention tools such as the Water Disaster Prevention Information Service website and the alert SMS notification system to stay informed of various warnings and evacuation information. (Editor: Lin Kelun) 1150608