In response to the news that Typhoon Matmo could affect Taiwan, Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo, on orders from Premier Jiang Yi-huah, convened an inter-agency meeting at the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) today at 10:30 a.m. to gather information on the storm and determine preparatory measures.
Executive Yuan Deputy Secretary-General Hsiao Chia-chi and officials from the Executive Yuan's Office of Disaster Management as well as the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Council of Agriculture (COA), CWB and National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction were all in attendance.
The agencies studied the latest meteorological analyses and were instructed to supervise disaster prevention and rescue personnel in their subordinate units as well as local governments to ensure preparatory measures against the typhoon are completed on schedule.
This typhoon is the 10th tropical storm of 2014. According to the CWB, a sea alert for the storm will be issued as early as today, and land and sea alerts will both be issued tomorrow.
Relevant agencies must supervise local governments to ensure that urban sewer dredging and water resource facility maintenance are progressing in a timely fashion to avert flooding, the Executive Yuan instructed. Preventative measures for vulnerable sections of roads and bridges as well as engineering projects that are under construction must also be carried out.
The COA was enjoined to demand fishery radio stations to step up their reporting on the typhoon in order to guide fishermen at sea to take precautionary actions.
The MOI was asked to see that local governments undertake preparations for pre-emptive evacuation and disaster reporting and strengthen restrictions and advisories for citizens applying for mountain entry permits.
The MOEA and MOI were directed to notify local governments to step up preparations in coastal areas, such as by readying sandbags and water pumps in low-lying areas to mitigate flooding.
The MOTC was instructed to draw up plans and supporting measures for air, land, sea and rail transport, particularly because it is currently summer vacation for students. If transport to and from any outlying islands must be suspended due to the weather, residents and tourists in these areas must be informed as soon as possible so they can make the necessary adjustments to their plans.
Finally, the Executive Yuan ordered the CWB to stay abreast of Typhoon Matmo's latest movements, maintain close contact with disaster management units, and increase public service announcements urging citizens to prepare for the typhoon.
People conducting outdoor activities should pay attention to meteorological forecasts and the latest reports on the typhoon, cooperate with the government's pre-emptive evacuation and management measures, and prepare well for the storm to safeguard their lives and property, the Executive Yuan advised.