Kaohsiung rainfall surpasses Typhoon Morakot levels; President Lai inspects flood control

Kaohsiung has been hit by torrential rains, with three days of rainfall totaling 913 millimeters, an amount that surpasses the total recorded during the devastating Typhoon Morakot. The intense downpour has led to severe flooding in numerous parts of the city.

In response, President Lai Ching-te is scheduled to visit Kaohsiung on August 25 to inspect flood control projects in the Gangshan and Yong'an districts. City officials highlighted that while the Tuku drainage basin in Gangshan has a lower population density, it experiences extensive flooding. This area is crucial for flood control, impacting the Wujiawei drainage and downstream safety in the greater Gangshan region.

The Kaohsiung City Government plans to continue seeking financial support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to comprehensively strengthen flood control engineering. The focus is on improving drainage systems and implementing robust water management strategies to mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events.

President Lai, accompanied by Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, will first visit the Tuku drainage basin improvement project's flood detention pond entrance plaza in Gangshan. Later, he will inspect the Yong'an North Ditch drainage project. The president's visit underscores the urgency of addressing the city's vulnerability to heavy rainfall and the commitment to enhancing its resilience against natural disasters.