ANKARA

At least three people were killed and four went missing after torrential rains pounded central and southern Taiwan for several days, local media reported Monday.

The downpours caused by a persistent southwesterly airstream have also left 49 people injured, the Central News Agency reported, quoting the National Fire Agency.

The fatalities included two in Kaohsiung and one in Nantou County, all caused by weather-related vehicle accidents.

Premier Cho Jung-tai visited the Central Emergency Operations Center on Sunday and held a video conference with the heads of the affected regions to assess the disaster response and relief efforts.

Kaohsiung's mountainous regions have received over 2,000 millimeters, Cho said, warning that the cleanup and reconstruction process will be prolonged.

To mitigate the risk of future flooding, he said the government has proposed a four-year, NT$100 billion ($3.4 billion) river management and drainage improvement plan, which includes funding for pumping equipment and other water management infrastructure.