ArchivesTyphoon Morakot reconstruction continues apace Chern Jenn-chuan (center) explains the progress of post-Typhoon Morakot reconstruction efforts at a Dec. 20 news conference. (Courtesy of MPDRC)
Plans to rebuild areas destroyed by Typhoon Morakot in 2009 are proceeding according to schedule, Vice Premier Sean Chen said Dec. 20, after presiding over the 27th meeting of the Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council. Chen praised all those involved in the reconstruction process for their tireless efforts in rebuilding major roads, bridges and residences in the hardest-hit areas. “Thanks to your hard work, mountain villages destroyed by the storm are now witnessing major growth in business and tourism,” he said. According to Chern Jenn-chuan, deputy CEO of the reconstruction council, the relocation of Xiaolin Village, which was almost completely destroyed by Morakot, will be completed Dec. 24, when the remaining 120 new residences in northern Kaohsiung City are officially handed over to the villagers. The transfer of the houses will mark a major step in plans to revive Xiaolin Village, Chern said, adding that a total of 276 households are expected to start their lives anew in three separate sites in Kaohsiung. By the end of next January, a total of 3,186 residences at 34 sites will be ready, representing over 95 percent of the housing needs, the official added. Nongovernmental organizations involved in the housing reconstruction projects include World Vision Taiwan, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation and the Red Cross Society. Fixing roads in mountainous aboriginal areas is still the most difficult part of post-typhoon reconstruction, Chern said. An extra NT$983 million (US$32 million) from the budget has been earmarked for repairing the heavily damaged sections of Provincial Highways No. 20 and 21, leading to Taoyuan and Namasia, respectively, he added. The rebuilding of Shuangyuan Bridge, the 2.1-kilometer-long bridge connecting Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County, will also be completed by Dec. 23. The bridge will shorten travel time between the two regions by 40 minutes, said Yan Jiou-rong, a reconstruction council official. “With improved road infrastructure, the once devastated areas in Kaohsiung City and Chiayi and Pingtung counties are expected to see an influx of tourists again very soon,” Yan added. (HZW) Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw |