Typhoon Morakot

As Typhoon Morakot left Taiwan on last Sunday, it left its mark with record rainfall, widespread flooding across Southern Taiwan, forcing thousands of people from their homes and ravaging bridges, roads and buildings.

The worst reports of flooding came from the counties of Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Taitung at the country's southern tip.

Continuing heavy rains have hampered rescue operations in mountainous villages, where hundreds of people are still thought to be stranded. Having been through crises of Katrina and China’s Sichuan earthquake, people are cognizant of the pressing problems of shortage of water, food and medical supplies, which are coupled with obstacles of transportation.

Over 20 bridges have been destroyed, proving more devastating than the 921 earthquake. The loss of these bridges, some of which provide the only corridor to secluded villages, means that rescue missions will be slowed.

On one hand, many Chinese are still be compassionate and generous to the rescue cause. On the other, isn’t there enough indications that global warming is even more pressing than the global economic crisis? Shouldn’t there be a more concentrated effort to counter the effects of global warming and in the mean time be better prepared for natural disasters?

All in all, it is depressing to listen to the news still focusing so much on what an exciting week this will be as financial indicators may suggest the worst of the economic crisis is over. Since when have human lives taken a second seating to material needs? Meanwhile, all I can do is offer a little financial token of my prayers for those unfortunate.