TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taoyuan City Government announced 3 p.m. Monday that some Taiwan Lantern Festival displays would be suspended due to wind speeds in the Qingpu area reaching level 7.

With strong winds at the exhibition site and the Central Weather Administration forecasting continued high winds Monday night, certain displays such as the 12-meter tall Snorlax, 6-m tall Pikachu, and the 9 m-tall “Attack on Titan” giant have been packed up for safety reasons.

Deflation of the affected installations began at 2 p.m., starting with Snorlax, followed by Pikachu and the Attack on Titan giant. The process was completed by 4 p.m.

Authorities will monitor wind conditions and announce a reopening date once deemed safe. More suspension details are on the festival's official website.

Meanwhile, the distribution of Pokemon lanterns and the Pokemon flash meet-and-greet event at 8 p.m. proceeded as scheduled.

Culture bureau director Chou Po-yin (周柏吟) noted that any exhibits deemed at risk of damage after evaluation by event contractors would also be temporarily stored. Reopening dates will be announced later.

The Beaufort wind scale classifies Level 7 as “near gale,” characterized by the sea heaping up with white foam streaks blown along the wind’s direction. On land, whole trees sway, and walking against the wind becomes noticeably difficult, according to the US National Weather Service.