Heavy rain across southern Taiwan has forced work and school closures and pushed the government to promise fast aid to flood victims.

• Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien and Taitung all shut down for the day as a low-pressure system and southwest winds dumped rain.
• Premier Cho Jung-tai said disaster relief funds left over from this year's budget will be used, and that flood victims will not be left alone.
• Next year's budget sets aside over NT$50 billion for flood control work.
• Budget cuts by the legislature have limited what the central government can do, leaving the premier working the phones with local officials instead of visiting.
• Tainan was already dealing with a fire and explosion before the rain worsened and flooding reports piled up.

Outlook: Once the rain eases and local governments finish counting the damage, central and local officials will negotiate relief payments under existing rules.