Heavy rain causes 150 million yuan in agricultural losses; Council of Agriculture closely monitors fruit and vegetable price fluctuations

 

 

The Council of Agriculture stated that agricultural losses from the heavy rain have reached NT$150 million, with melons and leafy vegetables particularly affected in Yunlin County, Tainan and Pingtung areas. It will assist county and city governments with agricultural loss procedures and guard against fruit and vegetable price fluctuations.

 

The Ministry of Economic Affairs today held a press conference after the second work meeting of the Central Emergency Operation Center for Floods, chaired by Ministry of Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Lin Chuan-neng, with Water Resources Agency Director-General Lai Chien-hsin, Ministry of Transportation and Communications Technical Supervisor Chang Chui-lung, Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Tien-shou, Central Weather Bureau Deputy Director Shen Li-yin and others in attendance.

 

Lin Chuan-neng said that judging from current conditions, the rain today could still become heavier and accumulate more rainfall, and he urged the public to raise their vigilance, avoid going out, and stay away from mountainous areas and the seaside. There are scattered low-lying areas along the coast where flooding has not receded, and with the spring tide over these two days, water may not be able to drain quickly to the open sea. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will also carry out all flood prevention preparations in low-lying areas of central and southern Taiwan.

Lin Chuan-neng pointed out that reservoir water storage rates are currently high, so regulated release operations are being carried out, and he urged downstream residents to raise their vigilance and stay away from riverbeds. In addition, continuous rainfall has caused water levels in some rivers to rise, while road flooding has also appeared. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications will close some flooded bridges and roads, and will also strengthen safety monitoring of slopes along railway and highway routes to prevent disasters.

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Regarding agricultural losses and vegetable price fluctuations, Lin Chuan-neng said that the rainfall has caused agricultural losses, the Council of Agriculture will assist county and city governments with agricultural loss procedures, and will also guard against fruit and vegetable price fluctuations.

 

Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Tien-shou said that disaster losses are currently being tallied at about NT$150 million, with melons and leafy vegetables particularly affected in Yunlin County, Tainan and Pingtung areas.

 

Chen Tien-shou said that observing recent conditions at the Taipei fruit and vegetable wholesale market, daily trading volume has been maintained at around 1,000 tonnes, and the average overall vegetable trading price on ordinary days is about NT$35 per kilogram; it has now risen slightly to around NT$42 to NT$43, and this will continue to be monitored. In addition, some frozen root and tuber vegetables in stock can be allocated; the private sector has more than 4,000 tonnes, and the Council of Agriculture controls another 4,000 tonnes, totaling about 8,000 tonnes, which will be used to regulate prices as appropriate.

 

Ministry of Transportation and Communications Technical Supervisor Chang Chui-lung said that international flights are currently normal, while 13 domestic flight sectors have been cancelled. For rail transport, Taiwan Railways is normal, but because slope debris near Miaoli Station slid onto the track running area, Taiwan High Speed Rail decided that after 12 noon today, trains departing from Taipei will only run to Miaoli, while northbound trains will go at most only to Taichung, and the Miaoli-to-Taichung section will be handled by shuttle connections.

 

Chang Chui-lung said that Taiwan Railways is also cooperating by adding local train services, while the Directorate General of Highways is providing bus shuttle connections between Miaoli and Taichung.

 

Chang Chui-lung said that for ferry routes today, a total of 4 routes and 39 sailings have been suspended. These include 1 sailing from Keelung to Matsu, 32 sailings from Donggang in Pingtung to Xiaoliuqiu, 4 sailings from Yanpu in Pingtung to Xiaoliuqiu, and 2 sailings from Fugang in Taitung to Green Island.