Taipei, July 29 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday directed authorities responsible for disaster prevention and rescue to stay vigilant for the possible impact to lives and property from Typhoon Nesat, which is forecast to make landfall in Hualien in eastern Taiwan late Saturday.
Speaking during a visit to the Central Emergency Operation Center, Tsai said the center should maintain close contact and communication with local governments and rescue personnel on the front line to coordinate resources efficiently, so as to minimize the potential damage.
Local governments should facilitate the publication of weather-related postponement and cancellation information, and all disaster prevention information must also be released to the public immediately, she said.
With the typhoon expected to impact Taiwan most severely on Saturday and Sunday, Tsai urged disaster prevention and rescue personnel on duty to pay attention to their safety and advised the public to stay away from dangerous spots.
As eastern Taiwan is home to many indigenous residents, the president instructed the Council of Indigenous Peoples to pay extra attention to disaster prevention matters in indigenous communities.
As of 2 p.m. Saturday, Nesat was 140 kilometers east-southeast of Hualien, moving at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour and in a northwesterly direction, according to the Central Weather Bureau.
The storm's edges have reached the land areas of eastern Taiwan, and chances are high that it may make landfall in Hualien late Saturday, the bureau said.
