TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Sunday toured post-disaster recovery sites in Chiayi, Tainan, and Hualien during the Mid-Autumn holiday.

In July, Typhoon Danas brought heavy rain that damaged roofs across Chiayi and Tainan. A few months later, Typhoon Ragasa caused the Mataian Creek barrier lake to overflow, flooding Fozu and Guangfu Streets in Hualien.

One of Lai’s first stops was the home of 84-year-old Wu Jin-san (吳進三), per CNA. Wu said that over the past two years, the advanced age of his house left him afraid to remain inside during typhoons or heavy rain, and he often sought refuge at a nearby temple.

He lost half of his roof during Typhoon Danas. With help from central and local governments, repairs began in mid-August and were finished in five days. Wu said he no longer fears typhoons.

Lai later visited a 90-year-old woman who lives next door to Wu. He said more than 40,000 roofs in Chiayi and Tainan were damaged in the storm. Many residents lacked the resources to make repairs, and workers and materials were hard to secure.

As of Oct. 2, 6,878 households in Chiayi County had applied for disaster relief funds, according to government data. The Cabinet allocated NT$360 million (US$11 million) for demolition, repair, and relocation of damaged homes in the disaster area.

Lai said three additional subsidy measures were approved in early September, including household assistance and a second wave of incentives for repair contracts. The deadline for post-disaster repair or demolition was also extended.