Taipei, Nov. 3 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian, during his continued inspection of the aftermath of flooding in northern Taiwan caused by Typhoon Xangsane, vowed Friday to bring life back to normal as soon as possible.
Typhoon Xangsane triggered serious flooding Tuesday night in many areas in northern Taiwan, especially in the low-lying Hsichi, Chitu, and Keelung areas.
The president said he was concerned about the widespread disruption to electricity and water supplies in Hsichih and ordered that more efforts be made to help restore them so that students could return to schools by next Monday at the latest.
Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Hsin-yi said that 117,000 households were without electricity and more than 90,000 households were without water on Thursday. As of Friday morning, 61,000 households still had no electricity and 10,000 remained without water, mostly in Hsichih and Nankang.
The president said he felt sorry about the serious damage caused by Typhoon Xangsane, saying that the people's lives and property are too precious and that a flood control plan for the Keelung River should be implemented as soon as possible.
The President appeared in a somber mood while inspecting for the second day the destruction left by the storm. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to the servicemen who pitched in to help in rescue operations.