Taipei, Aug. 3 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Thursday said she had directed the authorities to stay vigilant to the dangers of Typhoon Khanun, urging the public to refrain from hiking, fishing and other coastal activities.
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.
She also urged the public to refrain from carrying out activities such as observing the waves along the coast, fishing and hiking during this period as the typhoon comes closest to the northern parts of Taiwan between Thursday and Friday.
Echoing Tsai, Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) advised people to stay away from dangerous spots, saying that the authorities would continue sending personnel to dissuade people from watching the waves and strengthen traffic control in areas that are prone to disaster.
Chen, meanwhile, also asked local authorities to watch out for potential landslides and rockfalls in the mountainous areas of central and southern Taiwan as the storm is expected to bring torrential rainfall to the region.
Separately Thursday, Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua (王美花) instructed Taiwan Water Corporation, Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) and the Water Resources Agency to carry out all necessary measures so as to ensure stable water, electricity, oil and gas supplies.
Reservoirs including Mingde, Hushan and Nanhua have been discharging water at regular intervals as the heavy rainfall could potentially increase upstream turbidity levels, thereby affecting the water supply, Wang said.
Meanwhile, the city governments in Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung announced that garbage collection will be suspended for one day Thursday in view of the safety of sanitation workers during the typhoon.
