Rescue work continues in Taiwan | |
http://www.sina.com.cn 2004/07/07 11:19 Shanghai Daily | |
Workers used bulldozers and shovels yesterday to clear and repair mountain roads damaged by massive flooding that has killed at least 22 people, left 14 others missing and stranded thousands of villagers in Taiwan. Tropical storm Mindulle has pounded the island province since the weekend. Torrential rains at the storm's fringes have caused Taiwan's worst floods in 25 years. The death toll rose by one to 22 yesterday while 14 others were missing and feared dead, according to the provincial Disaster Relief Center. With heavy rains easing, workers began rebuilding the 123 sections of roads that were damaged by mudslides or washed away by raging floodwaters. In many remote areas, army helicopters airlifted food and water to stranded residents. The military said about 10,000 soldiers were mobilized. Scenic mountainous regions in central Taiwan - the heart of the island's tourism industry - suffered widespread damage. The regions, which were ravaged by an earthquake in 1999, have since been prone to flash floods and landslides. The 7.6-magnitude tremor killed 2,000 people and destroyed more than 40,000 homes. Many resort hotels in the region, which were shut down after the quake, only reopened two years ago. Taiwan estimated crop, fishery, poultry and infrastructure damage at NT$3.8 billion. The province has appropriated NT$1.5 billion in low-interest loans for residents to repair or rebuild their damaged homes. (The Associated Press)
| |
【英语学习论坛】【评论】【大 中 小】【打印】【关闭】 |