TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Gaemi prompted the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) to halt the 40th annual Han Kuang exercises at noon on Thursday (July 25), with the troops redirected to assist local governments in disaster relief efforts.
Typhoon Gaemi made landfall near Yilan County's Nan'ao Township, early Thursday morning. It exited from Taoyuan City's Xinwu District (新屋區), at 4:20 a.m., causing severe flooding, particularly in central and southern regions.
Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) emphasized the importance of monitoring rainfall, heavy rain warnings, and landslide alerts during a disaster preparedness meeting a day earlier. He urged units to adjust their deployment to safe locations and actively check on potential risk areas.
Koo also instructed operational zones to stay updated on typhoon movements and rainfall changes, enhance typhoon prevention measures, complete disaster preparedness tasks, and maintain communication with local governments for timely disaster relief support.
Chief of the General Staff Admiral Mei Chia-shu (梅家樹) stated that if disasters affect more than two municipalities, resulting in casualties or immediate threats, troops must fully engage in disaster relief, and operational zones should terminate exercises to assist local rescue missions.
Mei further explained that if major disasters occur on the main or outer islands, affecting more than two operational zones, the suspension or termination of the exercise will be announced, and armed forces will fully commit to emergency disaster relief tasks.