TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) forecasted Typhoon Kong-rey's landfall south of Hualien by Thursday noon. In response, authorities have accelerated preparations to mitigate the storm's impact.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) announced that evacuations would commence at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and close at 10 p.m. He also ordered the reinforcement of trees and signs and requested Taipei's Department of Economic Development (產發局) to activate a mechanism to stabilize vegetable prices as needed.
Mayor Chiang addressed concerns about a potential typhoon day off, stating a decision would be announced by 8 p.m. after consultations with New Taipei City, Keelung City, and Taoyuan City. Regarding the Nuit Blanche (白晝之夜) event scheduled for Saturday, he noted a slight scale reduction due to the typhoon.
Elsewhere, disaster prevention efforts are underway. Officials installed flood barriers in Chiayi, Dongshi Township (東石) to prevent seawater intrusion. In Yilan, surf shops have evacuated Wai'ao Beach (外澳沙灘), and whale-watching operators at Wushi Fishing Harbor (烏石漁港) secured vessels with ropes.
