TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) defended his announcement that normal work and school operations would resume post-typhoon on Friday (Nov. 1), despite public discontent.
During an Emergency Operation Center (EOC) meeting a day earlier, Chiang reviewed the latest weather forecasts and discussed with officials from four counties, leading to the decision to resume normal activities.
Residents voiced criticism on Chiang's Facebook page, questioning the lack of focus on home and transportation repairs, and urged the mayor to personally experience the commuting difficulties.
After Typhoon Kong-rey (康芮颱風) battered Taiwan on Thursday, Taipei faced severe damage, including more than 2,000 fallen trees.
Chiang explained that he based this decision on meteorological forecasts predicting a significant decrease in wind and rain, which did not meet the suspension criteria.
Chiang reported that the Department of Environmental Protection's (環保局) cleanup crews began disaster recovery at 5 a.m. and restored 80% of over 150 major roads by 8:30 to 9 a.m.
By 8 a.m., the Public Works Department (工務局) and four other departments had received over 3,500 damage reports, including more than 2,100 cases of fallen trees.
As recovery efforts continue, the city may face further scrutiny over its response to the storm's aftermath.
