TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As Typhoon Krathon (山陀兒) continued to affect Taiwan, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) visited the Central Emergency Operation Center (中央災害應變中心) on Wednesday (Oct. 2) to assess the situation. He also held a video conference with the mayors of Pingtung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan to discuss emergency responses.
Premier Cho urged the Ministry of the Interior (MOI, 內政部) and local governments to continue advising residents to stay indoors. Despite the warnings, many ventured out to malls, some even bringing their children. By noon, crowds increased, and KTV rooms were fully booked.
Meanwhile, sunny weather in Taipei and New Taipei raised doubts about the decision to declare a typhoon day off. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) explained that weather forecasts predicted stronger winds and rain by the afternoon and evening.
Mayor Chiang added that the decision to suspend work and classes tomorrow will be discussed jointly with New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan. The announcement is expected by 8 p.m.
New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) stated on Facebook that New Taipei might enter the sea warning zone late at night and the land warning zone by early morning. He predicted the typhoon's most severe impact would unfold late tomorrow night and into the following day.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) reported that Typhoon Krathon is currently 130 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung, moving north-northeast at 8 kph. Taitung has been particularly affected, with Jinfeng Township (金峰鄉) recording over 500 millimeters of rain in just 10 hours.