New Taipei City residents question mayor over lack of typhoon holiday amid strong winds and rain

New Taipei City residents expressed frustration and questioned the decision not to declare a typhoon holiday on Sunday, despite experiencing strong winds and heavy rainfall from the outer bands of Typhoon Bailu. Many took to the Facebook page of New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih to voice their concerns.

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Too exaggerated, this is the kind of weather that should warrant a holiday, right? Is the government doing nothing now? Service industry workers have to go to work risking their lives?

Netizens flooded Hou's Facebook with comments, criticizing the lack of a holiday and questioning the standards used for such declarations. Some comments highlighted the severe weather, with one user asking, "With this kind of wind and rain, why no holiday?" Others pointed out the perceived inaction, with one commenter stating, "The government is doing nothing now." Comparisons were also made to other mayors, with one user noting, "The mayors of the twin cities are quiet."

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What are you guys doing? With this kind of wind and rain, why no holiday?

The New Taipei City Disaster Response Center explained that based on meteorological data, the wind and rain on Sunday did not meet the criteria for declaring a holiday. They confirmed that normal work and classes would proceed. The center had previously noted that while the eastern and western parts of the city might experience heavy rain, and mountainous areas could see torrential rain, the city's coastal areas were expected to face gusts of level 9 to 10, and urban areas level 8 to 9. However, these conditions were deemed insufficient for a holiday declaration.

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No wind, no rain, holiday granted; wind and rain, no holiday, truly impressive!