TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited Tainan on Saturday, vowing rapid reconstruction following Typhoon Dynas and recent flooding.

At Minzhi Civic Center, Lai thanked officials for their recovery efforts and urged all levels of government to work to clear obstacles quickly, per CNA. He said fast coordination is essential so victims can return to normal life.

Lai said Typhoon Danas took an unprecedented south-to-north route through the Taiwan Strait, making landfall in Chiayi and causing much damage on the Chiayi–Tainan Plain. He reported that 4,000 utility poles were knocked down and about 1,300 telecom base stations were damaged.

He noted that strong southwest airflow brought rainfall that in some places exceeded levels seen during Typhoon Morakot. The heavy rains severely affected Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung, compounding recovery challenges.

To help residents recover, Lai said the government rolled out relief measures including direct cash aid for agricultural losses and one-year interest-free natural disaster loans. It will also help with home repairs and waste cleanup.

Tainan City Government said as of Friday 32,851 applications for housing damage relief have been received, with 80% of payments expected to be completed by next week.