New Taipei City Explains Late Typhoon Suspension Announcement

New Taipei City's decision to suspend work and classes for July 10 was announced just 30 minutes before the start of the workday, prompting explanations from Mayor Hou Yu-ih. The mayor stated that the late announcement stemmed from thorough discussions and a commitment to making a decision based on scientific evidence and professional assessment of Typhoon Bavi's impact. He emphasized that the city's mountain and coastal regions were experiencing wind speeds meeting the threshold for suspension, with rainfall approaching the critical level of 350 millimeters. The typhoon's projected path, similar to past storms like Soulik, indicated potential for over 500 millimeters of rain in the southern sector within 24 hours. Consequently, preparations for evacuations in areas prone to landslides, such as Sanxia and Wulai, were being made, with a 90% probability of collapse in some zones. Addressing concerns about the city's wind and rain not universally meeting suspension criteria, Hou explained that New Taipei's decision-making standards, consistent over his 16 years in office, consider the vastness of its mountainous terrain and its proximity to plains. The city's comprehensive assessment, based on scientific data and professional judgment, led to the city-wide suspension. This decision was also made in consideration of the shared living circle with neighboring Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan cities.

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Our wind speeds met the standard, so although New Taipei's decision time was a bit late, we made the decision after thorough discussion.