After days of torrential rain caused widespread flooding, the Kaohsiung City Government has announced a range of cash relief payments and tax reductions — good news for affected households, businesses and vehicle owners.

• Households flooded to a depth of 50 centimetres or more can claim NT$35,000 each, with NT$15,000 from the city government and an additional NT$20,000 from the central government.
• Households flooded to a depth of less than 50 centimetres are also eligible for a NT$10,000 consolation payment, an extra amount added by the city government.
• Homes and business premises flooded to a depth of 30 centimetres or more whose household appliances were ruined by the water will receive a further NT$10,000 each in appliance compensation.
• Separate subsidies are available for flood-damaged vehicles: up to NT$20,000 for cars and large motorcycles, and up to NT$2,000 for ordinary scooters.
• Buildings that were flooded or sustained damage to more than half of their floor area are exempt from one year of house tax, and flood-damaged vehicles are also eligible for a refund of licence plate tax.

Outlook: Applications are open from 26 August to 30 September. Applicants must first take photographs as evidence and prepare the required documents, then file at the district office in the disaster area. Photographs may be omitted in flood zones designated by the city government, allowing for faster review.