TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said on Wednesday (Oct. 30) that the city government will announce whether to declare a typhoon day off by 8 p.m. as Taiwan is expected to brace for the impact of Typhoon Kong-rey (康芮) later tonight.
Leading a session at the Disaster Response Center (災害應變中心) earlier that day, Mayor Chiang emphasized the importance of a timely announcement to avoid public inconvenience, and highlighted the storm's peak impact from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning.
Chiang predicted heavy rainfall, reaching torrential levels, and warned of gusty winds, with flatland gusts up to force 8 and mountain gusts up to force 14. He stated that the storm's wind impact would outweigh rainfall in the city.
He also urged departments to secure trees, signs, construction sites, and fences. With frequent typhoons affecting vegetable prices, he instructed the city's Department of Economic Development (產發局) to stabilize prices as needed.
Regarding the typhoon holiday decision, Chiang noted the existing protocol, involving discussions within the Greater Taipei Area. The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) will provide data at 7 p.m., and four cities and counties will make a joint announcement by 8 p.m. If uncertainties arise, the announcement may be delayed.
