Hualien: President Lai Ching-te announced an additional NT$200,000 (US$6,200) per household in subsidies for home repairs in flood-affected areas of Hualien during an inspection of recovery efforts following last month’s overflow of the Matai’an Creek barrier lake.
According to Focus Taiwan, during his visit to Fozu Street in Guangfu Township, one of the areas hardest hit by the floods, President Lai stated that this new subsidy would be in addition to existing government assistance. The current aid includes NT$1 million for each fatality or missing person, NT$250,000 for those seriously injured, NT$100,000 per household in condolence payments, and NT$50,000 for cleanup work.
Earlier in the day, President Lai received a briefing at the Hualien Sugar Factory from Chi Lien-cheng, a chief coordinator at the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC). Chi reported 18 deaths, 157 injuries, and six people still missing. He mentioned that major road cleanup was 95 percent complete, with an expectation of reaching 98 percent by the end of the day. Four local schools, including National Kuangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School, are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday.
Chi further informed that about 30 kilometers of blocked roadside drains are being cleared, with completion expected by October 18. A temporary culvert bridge over the washed-out Matai’an Creek bridge is anticipated to open by October 15, followed by a steel bridge in January 2026 and a permanent bridge by late 2027. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture will open a one-stop center in Guangfu on Tuesday to process aid and subsidy applications from affected farmers.
Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei urged the central government to stabilize temporary levees and drainage systems, warning of potential flooding due to clogged ditches. Legislator Fu Kun-chi also pointed out the severe sediment buildup and suggested the possibility of relocating some villages.
Hsu emphasized that around 6 million cubic meters of silt have buried more than 400 hectares of farmland and homes, stressing the need for complete removal. President Lai assured that “the central government will fully support local efforts” and noted that proposals will be reviewed through the disaster response command center.
Moreover, President Lai outlined four recovery priorities: monitoring river levels, reinforcing embankments, removing silt, and improving evacuation plans to lower the current red-level alert. He also praised local and international volunteers and urged agencies to work swiftly to locate the six missing people.
