2018/08/24
The Ministry of National Defense issued a press release to announces measures in response to potential extremely heavy rain (August 24th, 2018).
The Ministry of National Defense says today (24th) that, in response to the potential impact brought by the extremely heavy rain caused by tropical depression, the MND’s Deputy Chief of Staff General Chen, Bao-Yu has convened a project meeting, where he delivered the Minister’s demands and instructed all levels of the armed forces must have caring spirit for “helping civilians who are in need”, watch closely the routes of torrential rains and potential areas for disasters, and actively stay in touch with heads of local governments. All of the forces are required to become absolutely prepared for disasters and to minimize the impact.
The Ministry of National Defense points out that 4th and 5th combat zones (south and central areas) have set up Tier-1 Disaster Response Centers, while the Ministry of National Defense has set up Tier-2 Disaster Response Center. There are around 37,000 manpower of the armed forces standing by, and 4,551 units of aircrafts, vehicles, and machinery are all set to be used to carry out rescue missions when ordered.
In addition, 4th combat zone has dispatched manpower yesterday to assist 70 civilians living in Meinong, Kaohsiung to retreat with precaution to avoid casualties.
274 manpower have been dispatched by 4th and 5th combat zones to carry out precaution retreats for civilians living in Liugui, Meinong, Maolin, Qishan (all in Kaohsiung), as well as Dongshi and Budai (in Chiayi). Material transport and disaster recovery missions are also carried out.
The Marine Corps has placed 47 amphibious assault vehicles in advance in various places, including 2 in Linkou’s Xiahuxi Complex, 2 in Suao’s Chung Cheng Base, and 43 in Kaohsiung’s Huoniu Complex in order to provide active disaster-rescue assistance according to the level of torrential rain.
In addition, the “Total National Defense Educational Trip- Complex Open for Public Visit” program, which was scheduled to be held at Suao’s Chung Cheng Base on Saturday, August 25th by the Navy Command Headquarters, is postponed to Saturday, September 1st, due to bad weather.
The Ministry of National Defense stresses that disasters may happen due to torrential rain brought by tropical depression, and all citizens as well as officers/soldiers of the armed forces cannot be careless. The armed forces will follow up closely with the torrential rain and strive to safeguard all citizens’ properties and safety based on principles of “advanced deployment, advanced manpower allocation, and immediate rescues”.