Southern counties and cities to implement town resilience air defense drill on the 7th; non-compliance faces up to NT$150,000 fine

Southern Taiwan is set to conduct a "2026 Town Resilience (Air Defense) Exercise" on August 7th, running from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM. This drill will occur concurrently with the military's "Han Kuang 42 Exercise," aiming to bolster public awareness of air defense and minimize damage from potential air raids. The exercise will encompass Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung counties and cities.

During the drill, an air defense siren will sound at 10:00 AM. In addition to traditional sirens, the Air Force Command will utilize the "Air Threat Warning System" to send alert and解除 messages to citizens' mobile phones via "national-level alerts." For the 30-minute duration of the exercise, traffic and pedestrian control will be implemented. Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are instructed to follow the guidance of police, civil defense personnel, and volunteer officers to immediately seek shelter in nearby air-raid shelters.

Underground parking garages and building entrances are expected to be opened promptly after the alert is issued to facilitate public access to shelters. Medical institutions and public transportation hubs will also conduct evacuation drills. While factories can maintain automated production, they must close windows and doors and implement personnel controls. Taiwan Power Company will not implement power outages during the exercise.

Individuals who fail to comply with the control measures and drills after being warned may face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000, according to Article 25 of the Civil Defense Act. The public is urged to pay close attention to these regulations. Photography on the streets during the exercise is prohibited.