Taipei, Aug. 25 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian visited the Central Disaster Contingency Center at around noon Wednesday and gave instructions to bolster government efforts in rescue and damage prevention in the face of Typhoon Aere's onslaught.
Chen instructed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to increase surveillance and control of dams and reservoirs and to improve management of flood gates and pumping stations to prevent floods.
He said he wanted the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to spare no efforts in repairing damaged roads and opening paths blocked by landslides.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications should also render support to local governments in efforts in distributing daily necessities to areas where roads were disrupted by Typhoon Aere, Chen said.
Noting that many areas which were ravaged by the July 2 floods have now been "twice" devastated by torrential rains with Typhoon Aere's arrival, Chen said all local governments around the island should remain on high alert against landslides, mudflows and storm surges and should be ready to extend help to the people.
Chen said that if necessary, the officials and administrators should bring their power into full play to evacuate people whose residences are endangered.
In addition to rescue and repair work, Chen said, central and local governments should also work in concert to resume normal supply of water and electricity and to restore other public facilities in order to enable the people's lives to return to normal.