As powerful Typhoon Soulik treks closer to Taiwan, Premier Jiang Yi-huah today instructed Executive Yuan Deputy Secretary-General Chien Tai-lang to convene top government officials to hear the latest weather analyses and coordinate typhoon response at all levels. The meeting was held at the Central Weather Bureau and attended by agents from the Executive Yuan's Office of Disaster Management, Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Council of Agriculture, and National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction.
Soulik is the seventh tropical storm to have developed in the Pacific this season. Deputy Secretary-General Chien reminded officials that two earthquakes greater than magnitude 6 had already rattled central Taiwan this year (on March 27 and June 2), loosening soil that when struck by heavy rains could trigger sizeable landslides. He also instructed officials to use all communication channels to warn people against going into mountains over the weekend since Soulik's maximum effects will be felt around that time.
Central government agencies will make sure that local governments take all necessary precautions such as dredging sewers and rivers, shoring up water facilities, securing construction sites, protecting vulnerable roads and bridges, and keeping repair crews on standby for disaster-prone locations. The MOI will check that disaster announcement systems are getting the word out, especially for restricting traffic going up mountains and advising people to come down. The MOTC will post advance notices of ferry suspensions to offshore islands, and if necessary, urge people to leave the islands.
Typhoon Soulik is still gaining strength and could bring significant winds and rainfall to Taiwan. The Executive Yuan again reminds the public to be cautious outdoors, stay up on weather and typhoon developments, and most importantly follow evacuation and road closing orders from local officials.