Vice Premier Jiang Yi-huah on June 19 attended a working meeting of the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) to discuss Typhoon Talim's latest movements and the progress of preparatory work. After the meeting Jiang underscored the importance of enforcing evacuation orders, directing central and local governments to carry out mandatory evacuations as soon as an area is deemed unsafe.
Talim is moving quickly and will likely leave Taiwan on June 21, according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB). The storm is expected to dump 1,000 to 1,500 millimeters of rain on central and southern Taiwan mountainous areas, exacerbating mudslide risks in mountainous areas that have already been inundated by the rainstorms of June 10. The vice premier asked government agencies to work with local authorities to undertake strict safeguards and stay on high alert.
Jiang expressed his appreciation to central and local governments for taking early precautions against Talim, the first typhoon to prompt both sea and land warnings this year. There is still much work ahead, the vice premier said, especially as heavier downpours are expected on June 20. He asked agencies to stay on top of hazard situations and follow all standard operating procedures, and reminded the Ministry of Economic Affairs to quickly distribute water pumps wherever needed.
The CWB issued a land warning for the offshore Kinmen and Penghu islands at 8:30 p.m. on June 19 as Talim drew nearer. Premier Sean Chen also expressed his concern and asked the public to avoid activities in dangerous areas and to be aware of weather developments.
The CEOC said no casualties have been reported by local governments so far. After the CWB indicated that the land warning may be extended to central and southern regions of Taiwan proper, the CEOC has been in close communication with local disaster response centers and is ready to upgrade to a level-1 facility if needed.
The CEOC also asked local authorities to continue urging unwilling residents to clear out from Chiayi County's Dabang Village and Pingtung County's Dawu Village, and, where necessary, to implement mandatory evacuations.