NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei's Environmental Protection Department (新北市環保局) warned on Friday (Nov. 15) that air quality reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, advising residents to wear masks when outdoors. Officials attributed the pollution to stagnant pollutants from Miaoli to Chiayi, which drifted northward, accumulating in New Taipei City.
Residents in Banqiao (板橋) and Tucheng (土城) reported hazy skies and unusual odors from Thursday night to Friday morning, sparking discussions on social media about air quality. An office worker in Tucheng, Ms. Huang, described the air as "very bad, with a foggy haze and a strange, burnt smell." Netizens in Xindian (新店) noted similar conditions.
The Environmental Protection Department explained that weak winds, high humidity, and dense fog from Thursday night to Friday morning hindered the dispersion of PM2.5, leading to a gray, hazy appearance. They noted that a leeward vortex in the Taiwan Strait shifted slightly north, causing Taoyuan and New Taipei City to experience southerly winds. These winds transported pollutants northward, increasing pollution levels in the morning.
Officials urged the public to limit prolonged vigorous outdoor activities. Elderly individuals, children, sensitive groups, and those with cardiovascular diseases should avoid strenuous outdoor activities and wear masks to protect respiratory health.