This highlights the difference between how the authoritarian government in China and the democratic government in Taiwan value the lives of their people.Ĭhinese state media reported that Hebei officials on July 31 opened floodgates and spillways in seven low-lying flood control zones, to divert floodwater and prevent rivers and reservoirs from overflowing into Beijing and Tianjin. While the floods in Taiwan and China occurred just a few days apart, people from both countries have posted online about the stark differences in disaster response measures.

The Ministry of Agriculture estimated that the agricultural losses in Nantou from Typhoon Khanun were about NT$167.56 million (US$5.27 million). In Renai, a gas station was buried by a landslide, and part of the foundations of a hotel were washed away, while many roads are still covered in mud. Aside from serious flooding, dozens of people in mountain villages were temporarily stranded as roads were cut off by landslides. Data from the Central Weather Bureau showed that 1,051mm of rain fell on Nantou County’s Renai Township (仁愛) over 72 hours. Meanwhile, in the wake of Typhoon Khanun, heavy rain fell on the mountainous areas of central and southern Taiwan on Saturday last week. Direct economic losses were initially estimated at about US$13.2 billion. Chinese state media on Friday said at least 29 people had died, while 16 were missing and more than 1.75 million people had been relocated. Severe flooding wreaked havoc on hundreds of towns in Hebei, washing away vehicles and bridges, destroying roads, and engulfing businesses, homes and farmland.

Typhoon Doksuri hit China’s southeastern provinces late last month and made its way north to Hebei Province.

Brick township flooding