The monsoon season for Taiwan usually begins in mid-May. This year, on May 28 heavy rains created floods in northern and central Taiwan. Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli counties were the hardest hit. High waters caused partial suspension of rail and highway traffic, collapse of houses, and crop damage. On the evening of May 28, President Chiang Ching-kuo, deeply concerned about the ravages caused by the floods, called Magistrate Lin Pao-jen of Hsinchu County and Acting Magistrate Yeh Kuo-kuang of Taoyuan to inquire the extent of the disaster. He instructed the two officials to provide relief funds as needed and to strat planning for reconstruction work.

Accompanied by Tsiang Yien-si, secretary-general of the Kuomintang Central Committee, President Chiang arrived at the Taoyuan County Government Office at 9:00 a.m. on May 31. Acting Magistrate Yeh briefed him on the ins and outs of the calamity and what had been done for the flood victims. The President praised military and police forces for their prompt response and issued three instructions to the county government: l) increase help given to people made homeless by the floods. 2) Return suspended traffic to normal as quickly as possible. 3) Rebuild damaged bridges and levees stronger than before. The President then proceeded to Central University and to the Shetzu River.

Around noon, President Chiang visited Hsinchu County on his inspection tour from Taoyuan County to Miaoli County. When he arrived at Yangmei, it was raining heavily and he was welcomed by residents braving the rain along the way. The first thing the President asked when he got out of the car was: "How bad is the calamity?" He then visited a veteran's hostel and extended his warm regards to the retired servicemen. The President was satisfied with the reconstruction work done by the men of the veteran's hostel.

President Chiang arrived at Miaoli County at 3 p.m. He first inspected the Mingte Dam and watched the release of excessive water from it. He also talked to owners of the stores near the dam. Half an hour later he arrived at the Miaoli County Government seat and heard reports by Magistrate Chiu Wen-kuang. The President was relieved when told that the damage was not very serious in the county. He returned to Taipei from the inspection tour in the late afternoon.

Following the three instructions given by President Chiang, the Taiwan Provincial Government established a special group to inspect the flood-plagued areas. Members of the group, along with the three county governments, examined the extent of the flood damage and distributed funds to victims. Major post-flood reconstruction and speedy relief action followed. Main features of the operation have been:

1. For the homeless, the government arranged places to stay and provided them with board and lodging funds.

2. The government meted out relief money to those families whose houses had collapsed or whose members were dead or missing.

3. To those farmers whose land was washed out by the floods, the government provided relief funds and helped them return to their normal farming operations.

4. Special funds were released to repair or rebuild roads and bridges.

Although the "5.28" flood disaster created damage in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli counties, the disaster was reduced to the lowest extent because of government's ability to provide speedy aid. Currently, railway and highway transportation have returned to normal. The flood victims are rebuilding their houses with government help.

[Picture Caption]

2. President Chiang Ching-kuo braves strong winds and floods to inspect damage to sea dikes in Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan. 1. An old lady holds an umbrella for the President, who tells her: "It is I who should hold it for you." 3. Amidst heavy rains, President Chiang inspects the Penkang Bridge in Taoyuan County, and issues instructions that it be rebuilt more strongly.

Left: President Chiang personally inspects the Mingte Dam and watches the release of excess water. While calling on people living near the dam. President Chiang greets a small boy. Below: A tourist at the Mingte Dam asks President Chiang to pose for a picture with her son, and the President readily obliges.

President Chiang Ching-kuo braves strong winds and floods to inspect damage to sea dikes in Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan.

Amidst heavy rains, President Chiang inspects the Penkang Bridge in Taoyuan County, and issues instructions that it be rebuilt more strongly.

President Chiang personally inspects the Mingte Dam and watches the release of excess water. While calling on people living near the dam. President Chiang greets a small boy.

A tourist at the Mingte Dam asks President Chiang to pose for a picture with her son, and the President readily obliges.