Taipei Times
Date:  Jul 11, 2015
By: Abraham Gerber  /  Staff reporter

The Taipei City Government was conflicted about yesterday’s decision to declare a

Taipei City Government officials yesterday brief Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, center, on the impact of Typhoon Chan-Hom at the city’s Emergency Operations Center. Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times

typhoon day, halting work and closing schools, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday, with the halt to school and work announced later than announcements by past city administrations.

“I was scared that after we made the announcement, we’d find the next morning had perfect weather for an outing,” Ko said after hearing a report at Taipei’s Emergency Operations Center on Typhoon Chan-Hom, adding the lack of rain last night made him feel worried.

Ko said the decision to call the typhoon day was made to respect the “expert opinion” of the Central Weather Bureau, whose weather report predicted that wind speeds would reach the legal threshold for halting work and classes by noon yesterday.     [FULL  STORY]