Accelerating Post-Disaster Recovery: Mayor Chen Chi-mai Orders Full Mobilization of City Bureaus

[Kaohsiung News] Following the heavy downpours that struck Kaohsiung's mountainous regions last week, Mayor Chen Chi-mai presided over the municipal administrative meeting on August 5th, emphasizing the need to accelerate post-disaster recovery. In addition to swiftly delivering essential supplies and personally visiting affected areas to ensure proper care for residents, Mayor Chen instructed the Public Works Department to coordinate with the Highway Bureau to expedite road repairs. He also called on the Water Resources, Transportation, Environmental Protection, and Public Health Bureaus to mobilize all efforts to restore infrastructure and help residents return to normal life.

Addressing post-disaster reconstruction funding, Mayor Chen explained that the budget is divided into two parts. The first, which covers emergency repairs and reconstruction of roads and bridges, falls under the jurisdiction of the Highway Bureau. Citing the Minsheng Bridge to Namasia District as an example, he noted the total cost is estimated at NT$400 million, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027. He expressed gratitude to the Executive Yuan for its approval and urged that the funds be included in this special budget to expedite construction. Additionally, he called for accelerated repairs to three damaged bridges along Provincial Highway 20 leading to Taoyuan District. The second portion, under Kaohsiung City's jurisdiction, covers roadways, river embankments, debris flow zones, and large-scale landslide alert areas, with an estimated budget of NT$1 billion earmarked for soil and water conservation and related reconstruction works.

Mayor Chen further noted that disaster assessments are underway. Rainfall in the mountainous areas reached levels comparable to those of Typhoon Morakot. He stressed the urgent need for the reconstruction of agricultural and forestry roads vital for local farmers. In response to crop damage caused by Typhoon Danas and the July 28 torrential rains, the central government has announced agricultural disaster relief measures, including aid categories, application periods, and extended deadlines. Mayor Chen directed the Agriculture Bureau and district offices to publicize this information and assist farmers in submitting their applications as quickly as possible.

Given Kaohsiung's expansive geography, Mayor Chen pointed out that the heaviest rainfall occurred in the mountainous regions, causing significant damage and necessitating urgent repair and reconstruction efforts. In contrast, the coastal areas experienced no major incidents, thanks to the effective performance of retention basins, floodgates, and pumping stations. He reiterated the city's commitment to accelerating water management projects across different areas. Mayor Chen also expressed his appreciation for the central government's funding last year for the New Caogong Canal and Dianbao River, projects he personally inspected before the storm. He emphasized the importance of continuing to advance water infrastructure to build a resilient city capable of withstanding the challenges of extreme weather.

To ensure a comprehensive recovery, Mayor Chen instructed the Public Works Bureau to address fallen trees, damaged sidewalks, and potholes. He also requested that the Water Resources Bureau inspect storm drains, pumping stations, and flood-prone areas. The Transportation Bureau was tasked with repairing damaged traffic signals and pavement markings promptly and ensuring clear warning signs are in place during construction.

Regarding post-storm sanitation, Mayor Chen directed the Environmental Protection Bureau to intensify road cleaning, silt removal, and waste disposal, while coordinating with the Department of Health to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and carry out necessary disinfection to prevent dengue fever and chikungunya outbreaks.

Also during the municipal administrative meeting, the Fire Bureau presented a report on joint inspections of lithium battery factories. After hearing the report, Mayor Chen stressed the importance of stringent safety management for such facilities. He instructed relevant departments to take the matter seriously and continue enhancing inspection efforts. For non-compliant facilities identified during inspections, Mayor Chen called for immediate rectification of hardware deficiencies, increased inspection frequency, and guidance to improve emergency response mechanisms. He also emphasized the need for cross-departmental coordination in enforcement and continued adherence to the "Public Safety Enhancement Plan for Industrial Parks" and "Management Approach for Assisting High-Risk Enterprises in Self-Managed Disaster Preparedness."

Additionally, Mayor Chen recognized students from Youchang Junior High School and Rueisiang Senior High School for their outstanding achievements in the "2024/25 Academic Year High School Futsal League ." Youchang Junior High School won the championship in the junior high girls' division, while Rueisiang Senior High School took third place in the senior high girls' division. Mayor Chen presented awards at the meeting and celebrated their success with group photos and warm interactions.

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Mayor Chen Chi-mai chaired the municipal administrative meeting, emphasizing the need to accelerate post-disaster recovery. He instructed the Public Works, Water Resources, Transportation, Environmental Protection, and Health bureaus to fully support restoration efforts. He also expressed concern for farmers' needs, directing the Agriculture Bureau and district offices to assist with related relief applications.

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Youchang Junior High School and Rueisiang Senior High School won the championship and third place, respectively, in the 2024/25 Academic Year High School Futsal League in their respective divisions. Mayor Chen presented awards and commended the students for their outstanding performance.