Pingtung Requests Full-Item Disaster Relief Without On-Site Inspections Following Heavy June Rains

Pingtung County, June 26 (CNA) — Following consecutive days of heavy rainfall in June, the Pingtung County Government launched three inspection teams today to assess damage to the agricultural and fisheries sectors. Officials stated that 13 weather stations in the county have recorded cumulative rainfall exceeding the Ministry of Agriculture’s criteria for automatic disaster relief eligibility, prompting the county to formally request a waiver of on-site inspections for all agricultural products.

County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi, Deputy Magistrate Huang Kuo-jung, and Secretary-General Yang Ching-che conducted site inspections today. Deputy Magistrate Huang, accompanied by the Agriculture and Food Agency, surveyed damage to cucumbers, eggplants, chili peppers, bitter melons, lemons, pig farms, and aquaculture ponds in northern and central townships.

Huang emphasized that the government is committed to a swift and simplified relief process to assist farmers with recovery. The county government has been compiling daily damage reports from township offices for submission to the Ministry of Agriculture, urging farmers to monitor official announcements regarding eligible items and regions.

Lee Yung-wen, Director of the Pingtung County Agriculture Department, noted that since the early hours of June 25, intense short-duration rainfall has occurred. 13 meteorological stations reported daily rainfall exceeding 500 millimeters, with nine stations recording over 800 millimeters of cumulative precipitation between June 25 and 26, surpassing the Ministry of Agriculture’s standards for cash relief.

The county government has formally requested the Ministry of Agriculture to authorize province-wide cash relief and low-interest loans for all agricultural categories. Priority is being placed on crops already meeting the meteorological thresholds, such as papayas, cucumbers, bitter melons, watermelons, and muskmelons.

Beyond agricultural losses, the county announced that households affected by flooding may apply for subsidies and tax relief. Owners of vehicles damaged by water may also apply for compensation, provided they retain photographic evidence and receipts for verification.