At a meeting of the central government's disaster prevention and rescue committee today, Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo ordered all relevant agencies and local governments to stand fast at their posts, continue monitoring Typhoon Matmo, and supervise all levels of disaster response personnel to ensure they complete preparatory measures as soon as possible.
Agencies represented at the meeting included the Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Council of Agriculture (COA).
The CWB opened the meeting by updating the attendees on the latest news and analysis about Typhoon Matmo, and the vice premier requested the bureau continue to stay abreast of the movements of the storm, which is approaching Taiwan.
The typhoon could bring substantial and heavily concentrated rainfall to northern, northeastern and eastern Taiwan as well as the island's southern and central mountainous areas. Therefore, officials must not take the storm lightly, and they should be especially conscientious in undertaking evacuations from at-risk areas and early warning control of vulnerable roads and bridges, Mao instructed.
The vice premier requested the COA take measures to stabilize the production and sale of fruits and vegetables to prevent the typhoon from adversely affecting their supply, demand and prices. He also asked the agency to properly warn fishermen and fisheries to guard against seawater intrusion and flooding, which could result from the high tides the storm may cause.
The CWB reported that if Matmo stays on its current path, it will likely be the first typhoon to make landfall on the island this year, bringing significant rain to the northeast and east as well as the mountainous parts of central and southern Taiwan. Long waves are also expected along the central and southern coasts. The bureau urges the public to keep up to date with the latest weather warnings.
Taiwan will be conducting disaster drills on National Disaster Prevention Day on September 19, Mao said. Activities planned for that day are intended to raise the public's awareness of disaster preparedness and response actions. This year, the civilian air defense warning system will be used to test a tsunami alarm in areas at risk of tsunamis around Taiwan. Increased publicity before the drill will hopefully familiarize citizens with the sound of the tsunami warning.
During past disasters, organizations in the private sector have also been extremely helpful in the government's response and rescue operations, Mao pointed out from the MOI's report. Disaster rescue groups and volunteer organizations play a vital role that complement efforts by the public sector. Mao asked the MOI to continue registering and cataloging these organizations as well as to strengthen their training and preparedness so that they can serve as an important instrument in the government's disaster response work.
In terms of disaster information, effective transmission of disaster intelligence can help governments at all levels make appropriate decisions and form contingency plans, Mao said. Such information should also be presented to the public in the simplest, clearest and most lucid manner possible. The vice premier directed the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction to continue promoting and refining its disaster intelligence transmission system, and asked other ministries to help by integrating information across agencies and strengthening communication up and down the chain of command.