How should Taiwan prevent disasters and manage soil and water conservation? - Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, MOA

Because of climate change all around the globe, precipitation which lasts longer and is higher in intensity is more frequent than before. Faced with the threat of complex disasters combining floods and debris flows, how should Taiwan prevent disasters and manage soil and water conservation? 

I. Adopt a double-defense measure to consolidate watershed risk management: We will integrate disaster prevention and disaster mitigation measures and continue to consolidate debris flow monitoring and disaster prevention efforts. We will also conduct torrent dredging and post-disaster restoration works, and adapt engineering methods to extreme weather to reduce disaster scale in an effective manner.

II. Research and develop a model for complex disaster warning and monitoring: We will apply cloud technology to the establishment of a slopeland disaster information network to increase the accuracy of disaster monitoring and forecasts.

III. Expand investigations concerning and application of potential slopeland disaster information: We will review the current status of disaster-prone communities to precisely control information about disaster-inducing factors, security conditions, lifeline systems, and road interruption.

IV. Use spatial concepts to divide watersheds into management units: We will conduct torrent sediment disaster prevention, potential debris flow torrent prevention, and landslide disaster management of management units such as the upstream watersheds of rivers administered by the Central Government and local governments, local drainage canals, and important reservoirs.

V. Adopt engineering methods suited to local environment and provide precise solutions to problems: We will adopt engineering methods suitable for local environments in an attempt to manage them effectively.

VI. Improve soil and water conservation regulations: Faced with the possible impacts of climate change, we will review and actively amend soil and water conservation regulations, and adopt diverse management measures, to promote a comprehensive soil and water conservation management.

VII. Prevent and reduce the occurrence of slopeland disasters caused by extreme weather: We will raise the standard of evaluating slopeland development and use and enhance soil and water conservation management. To promote preventive slopeland management, we will approach communities and tribes to raise the awareness of soil and water conservation among farmers and disadvantaged minorities.

VIII. Increase communities’ autonomy in disaster prevention: We will enhance local governments’ efforts in disaster prevention drills. In compliance with the Environmental Education Act, we will cultivate school teachers, interested local residents, and professional technicians to become seed teachers of disaster prevention. We will also establish a computerized disaster prevention information channel to involve all citizens in disaster prevention.