Typhoon Kong-rey has left a trail of destruction across Taiwan, killing six people and causing a total of over US$6 million in agricultural losses, leaving many farmers struggling.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Across Taiwan, a trail of destruction after Super Typhoon Kung Rui ripped through the
00:06country, leaving at least three people dead and nearly 700 injured, according to the National
00:11Fire Agency.
00:13In the east coast county of Yilan, rock slides have blocked off mountain roads and damaged
00:17highways, with some parts collapsing.
00:20Strong winds and rains have also damaged over 23 hectares of crops in the region, hurting
00:25the supply of staple foods like cabbage and garlic.
00:28The landslides have destroyed a whole lot of crops.
00:36Taiwan as a whole suffered over 6 million U.S. dollars in agricultural losses.
00:40In Taitung County, also on the east coast, sugar apple orchards were damaged, with some
00:45trees blowing over completely.
00:48And around 70 to 80 percent of naval orange crops, which are harvested only once a year,
00:53are gone.
00:54And on Taiwan's west coast, oyster farmers suffered losses of over 2 million U.S. dollars.
01:00Some tried to save the floating rafts used to farm oysters, but large waves meant most
01:05were destroyed, their remnants now scattered across the shore.
01:10Our shore is very stable.
01:12It's a 10-minute walk from here to the other side of the river.
01:14It's all open.
01:15The whole area is open.
01:17Look at the current situation.
01:19There's no one on the other side of the river.
01:22Taiwan's leaders, including President Lai Ching-de and Vice President Bi Kim-siao, are
01:26visiting affected areas, including the east coast counties of Yilan, Taitung and Hualien,
01:32along with outlying Orchid Island.
01:35President Lai says he's proposing to increase next year's flood control budget to 1.7
01:39billion U.S. dollars.
01:41And agricultural officials say some farmers will also get organic fertilizer subsidies.
01:46And as repairs get underway, there's some good news.
01:49Two east coast train lines suspended in the storm are back up and running.
01:53But for many who lost crops or income, the destruction wrought by Super Typhoon Kongrei
01:58will continue to be felt for some time.
02:01Patrick Chen and Keynes Cuaranta for Taiwan Plus.