International Experts Gather for the Prevailing Issue, Debris Flow Disaster Prevention - Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, MOA

The Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan announced 485 potential debris flow torrents in 1996. An investigation was carried out recently after several catastrophes (such as the 921 Earthquake, Typhoon Toraji, Typhoon Morakot, etc). According to the data obtained from the latest investigation, the number of potential debris flow torrents has increased to 1660. Under the threat of extreme climate change in recent years, the problem of debris flow should be further addressed and related adaptive strategies should be drawn up. Therefore, “The Symposium on the Mapping and Management of Potential Debris Flow Torrents” was held in October 23rd at National Cheng Kung University. Approximately 150 guests were invited, including experts and scholars from the United States, Italy and Japan, as well as from industry, academia and the government in Taiwan.

Improving the Information Regarding Potential Debris Flow Torrent and Implementing Disaster Prevention Mechanisms

Director-General Huang Yao-Ming of the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau stated that the investigation and mapping of debris flow torrent is the initial step in disaster prevention. The following tasks: mapping the potential hazardous areas, checking the protected targets, planning emergency evacuation routes, as well as forecasting and warning of debris flow disasters during the periods of typhoons and heavy rainfall events, have already been included in a sound emergency operation mechanism. Nonetheless, in recent years the global climate has suffered from extreme change, which has led to unprecedented catastrophes occurring frequently. Complex hazard and disaster types of natural disasters in the future should not be treated solely by a single hazard management approach or past experiences. In the meantime, communication and collaboration between countries become extremely important.

Learn from Others and Improve Disaster Emergency Responses

Besides inviting experts from home and abroad to share knowledge regarding debris flow investigation, mapping and management strategies in the symposium, organizers also arranged field investigations and exchanges on disaster prevention technology in the Laiyi tribal area of Laiyi Township in Pingtung county, Shang-an Village of Shueili Township and Shenmu Village of Xinyi Township in Nantou County; participants made an on-the-spot investigation of debris flow disaster, the rehabilitation of soil and water conservation, the huge landslide of Jiu-fen-er Mountain and corresponding monitoring systems. This field visit enabled experts from all over the world to understand the current development of soil and water conservation technology in Taiwan and they shared their disaster prevention slopeland strategies and experiences in regard to the more severe climate and debris flow disasters.