Hualien County, Taiwan – President Lai Ching-te on Sunday announced an additional NT$200,000 (about E116,000) per household to help families repair homes damaged by floods in Hualien County. He made the pledge during an inspection of recovery operations in Guangfu Township, which was badly affected after the Matai’an Creek barrier lake overflowed last month.
Speaking on Fozu Street, Lai said the new funding would add to existing government assistance, which includes NT$1 million for each fatality or missing person, NT$250,000 for serious injuries, NT$100,000 per household in condolence payments, and NT$50,000 for cleanup support.
Earlier, Lai was briefed at the Hualien Sugar Factory by Chi Lien-cheng, chief coordinator of the Central Emergency Operation Center. Chi reported 18 deaths, 157 injuries and six people still missing as of Sunday. He said major road cleanup was 95 percent complete and expected to reach 98 percent by the end of the day. He added that four schools, among them National Kuangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School, were set to reopen on Tuesday.
Chi revealed that about 30 kilometers of clogged roadside drains were still being cleared, with completion expected by October 18. A temporary culvert bridge across the washed-out Matai’an Creek bridge is due to open on October 15, while a steel bridge is planned for January 2026 and a permanent structure by late 2027.
The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to open a one-stop service center in Guangfu on Tuesday to handle applications from affected farmers for aid and subsidies.
Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei urged the central government to stabilise temporary levees and drainage systems, warning that blocked ditches could spark fresh flooding. Legislator Fu Kun-chi raised concerns over sediment buildup and suggested that some villages might have to be relocated. Hsu noted that about six million cubic meters of silt had covered more than 400 hectares of farmland and homes, pressing for full removal.
Lai said government efforts would focus on four areas: monitoring river levels, strengthening embankments, removing silt and improving evacuation plans. He commended local and international volunteers for their support and called for a swift search for the six missing residents.
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