President under pressure as mudslides death toll rockets
TAIWAN'S president today predicted the death toll from the country's devastating mudslides would top 500.
President Ma Ying-jeou has come under pressure over his government's response to the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot.
The typhoon caused widespread mudslides, smashed houses and severed roads and bridges in southern Taiwan when it swept across the island last weekend.
Survivors and opposition parties say efforts to rescue people stranded in towns and villages have been sluggish. Some villagers were seen shouting at the president as he toured devastated areas this week.
Previous estimates had put the death toll at just over 100, but the president gave the revised figure of 500 at a security meeting.
Officials said about 300 may have died in a mudslide that levelled most of Hsiao Lin village.
The typhoon has knocked out 34 bridges and severed 253 roads, with some repairs expected to take up to three years.
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Weather for Edinburgh
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
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