TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taitung County Government said it decided not to cancel work and classes on Saturday because the Central Mountain Range shielded most areas from Typhoon Bavi.
CNA reported that Taitung was the only county in Taiwan that did not suspend work and classes. Schools and government offices only closed in Lanyu and Lyudao townships.
Deputy Magistrate Wang Chih-hui (王志輝) said officials based the decision on Central Weather Administration forecasts and assessments by county weather and emergency teams. He said Bavi moved farther north than expected, while the Central Mountain Range blocked much of its wind and rain.
Liberty Times reported that Taitung recorded only light, scattered rain on Saturday morning, and local Indigenous harvest festivals continued as planned. Wang said the emergency operations center remained active and was prepared to respond if conditions worsened.
DPP Legislator Chen Ying (陳瑩) supported the county government’s decision. She said officials reviewed weather information until 8 p.m. Friday and did not make the decision simply by looking at conditions outside, per CTS News.
“Typhoon closures should be based on public safety rather than treated as an extra day off,” Chen said. She added that officials must also consider overtime costs, business operations, and canceled travel and hotel bookings.
Taitung County Council Speaker Wu Hsiu-hua (吳秀華) also backed the decision. She said local governments should decide whether to suspend work and classes based on official weather data.
