TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited Tainan to meet with victims and survey the damage left by Typhoon Danas.

He met with residents in the Qigu, Jiangjun, and Xuejia Districts of Tainan whose homes were damaged by the storm. He said the government will support recovery efforts and hopes that life will return to normal soon, reported CNA. 

Many residents in Tainan, Chiayi, and Yunlin were left without power for several days after Danas passed through the area. There were over 2,000 electric poles reportedly knocked down by the storm in southern Taiwan, with more than 1,100 electric poles downed in Tainan. 

Lai responded frankly to residents who expressed their worries and frustrations over the storm’s aftermath. Several residents reportedly pleaded with Lai to send more soldiers in to help clean up the debris left by Danas, including in private homes and communities, reported UDN.

The president explained that although the military is trained to respond to disasters, communities must also be self-reliant. He praised the efforts of the army to assist in the aftermath of the typhoon this week, while also engaging in the large-scale Han Kuang military exercises. 

Lai said that local work crews have been working hard to restore power and reinstall electrical lines throughout southern Taiwan. Over 100 repair teams, numbering almost 800 people have come from across Taiwan to assist with cleanup and repair, Lai said.  

He added the central government will support Tainan and other storm-ravaged areas to repair damages to homes and local communities. This week, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) also announced a typhoon response group to help care for victims impacted by the typhoon, reported CNA.