HSINCHU (TVBS News) — Hsinchu County officials successfully delivered supplies to the Qalang Smangus (司馬庫斯) tribe in Jianshih Township (尖石鄉) on Monday (Nov. 4) after Typhoon Kong-rey caused severe landslides, cutting off access roads. The tribe, consisting of about 150 people, has faced dwindling food supplies since Nov. 1, prompting urgent collaborative efforts to restore access.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) expressed concern and pledged full support. Following the township chief's advice, Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke (楊文科) requested aerial assistance. Although an initial helicopter flight on Nov. 3 afternoon was unsuccessful, a helicopter took off at 7:21 a.m. on Nov. 4 and began delivering supplies to the Qalang Smangus parking lot by 8 a.m.