Heavy rain has flooded southern Taiwan, and a fight has broken out over whether opposition budget cuts left the government unable to get to the disaster zone fast.

• Days of heavy rain hit central and southern Taiwan, with Pingtung's farms taking the worst damage.
• Premier Cho Jung-tai said his travel was limited because parliament cut the cabinet's operating and coordination budget by 90%, so he first checked in with local officials by phone and video.
• The ruling DPP called the cut clumsy, saying lawmakers can hold the cabinet to account but slashing basic, necessary spending goes too far.
• The DPP also turned the argument on the opposition: they labeled the money "non-essential" when they cut it, and now demand ministers show up in person.
• The cabinet says relief, recovery and rebuilding will go ahead regardless of the funding squeeze.

Outlook: Cho heads to Pingtung to inspect the damage, and the budget fight is likely to keep escalating as recovery costs come due.