Days of heavy rain in Pingtung, Taiwan, have caused severe agricultural losses and flooding. The government has increased its subsidies — good news for affected farmers and residents.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai travelled to Nanzhou, Pingtung, to inspect the damage, and the Ministry of Agriculture announced that all crop types are eligible to apply for cash relief and low-interest loans.
• Nearly 8,000 homes in Pingtung were flooded in this event. Households with flooding of 30 to 50 centimetres will receive NT$10,000 for home appliance costs, while those with flooding above 50 centimetres can receive up to NT$30,000.
• Nanzhou accounts for one third of Taiwan's bitter gourd output. Two straight weeks of rain caused root rot, and local vegetable farmers have lost this entire crop.
• Beyond the payments, the government will also send technical teams into the field to help farmers strengthen their disaster-resistance equipment.
• This year's central government budget took more than 300 days beyond schedule to clear review, so the related spending can only now begin to be disbursed.

Outlook: The subsidies will be issued on a "fast, broad and generous" basis, but replanting will still have to wait for clear weather before the land can be prepared.