TAIPEI: The devastation caused by Typhoon Morakot to southern Taiwan is an indication that Taiwanese society lacks a sense of vigilance and that local governments lack administrative efficiency, a scholar charged yesterday.

History will repeat, and Taiwan will suffer similar damage the next time a powerful typhoon hits if it fails to learn from the failures of Typhoon Marakot, said Chien Chih-yung, a professor at the US-based Johns Hopkins University who serves as a chair professor at National Chengchi University (NCCU).

Speaking at a public policy forum sponsored by NCCU, he reminded listeners that despite a forecast by the Central Weather Bureau that the amount of rainfall produced by Morakot could exceed 800 millimeters, despite the fact that a red alert was issued by the Council of Agriculture, many local officials and residents remained careless to the potential danger and failed to take measures for a forced evacuation of people living in danger zones.

This, he went on, is a clear indication that society lacks a sense of crisis and that the local authorities lack resolve.

He said it took five years for Taiwan to recover from the damage caused by severe flooding in 1959, but 50 years later, Taiwan sank again into the mire brought by Typhoon Morakot for the very same reason.

"Taiwan's failure to conserve its slopeland and the soil in river catchment areas will push Taiwan into another catastrophe if serious flooding occurs again," he warned.

In the face of the devastation caused by Morakot, Taiwan reacted emotionally and without any scientific rationale, Chien claimed.

From government officials to lawmakers and local elected representatives, everyone has been pointing at others, while media reporting also has shown a lack of focus, Chien charged.

Although many people criticized the government for its failure to launch rescue and relief operations within 72 hours of the disaster, Chien said scientific research shows that mudslides triggered by typhoons can be set off in just 72 seconds.

In the case of Hsiaolin village in Kaohsiung county, the whole village was leveled in a few minutes by a landslide brought down by Morakot, burying hundreds of residents, he noted.

Many critical problems have emerged since Morakot lashed southern Taiwan, so the public should ponder some key issues related to the sustainable growth of Taiwan, according to Chien.

Some people have also questioned why there are so many hot spring resorts in mountain areas and why so many bridges are built there, he said.

Other scholars attending the forum, including professor Lee Hung-yuan of National Taiwan University and professor Lai Cheng-yu of NCCU, suggested that the government should refine its mechanism for ensuring the healthy development of Taiwan's lands and that local governments should sharpen their efficiency.

Some scholars contended that the government should first conduct cross-agency dialogues before launching rescue and relief operations, while academic research should also touch on social issues.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 09/03/2009 page2)