Wang Wan-yu Points to Delayed Decision-Making on Suspension of Work and Classes in Hsinchu County; County Government Cites Regional Differences

(Central News Agency reporter Kuo Hsuan-hsin Hsinchu County June 30) New Power Party Chairwoman Wang Wan-yu said today that the rainfall on June 26 caused widespread flooding in Hsinchu County. It was not until 9 a.m. that the county government delegated the authority to suspend work and classes to individual townships, delaying the response. The county government stated that it considered regional differences in transportation and terrain, and initially authorized township offices to decide.

New Power Party Chairwoman Wang Wan-yu and others held a press conference at the entrance of the Hsinchu County Government today, stating that the rainfall on June 26 caused widespread flooding in Hsinchu County. The county government should have prepared in advance. As the rain was heavy on the morning of the 26th, the county government failed to make an immediate decision. It was not until 9 a.m. that the authority to suspend work and classes was delegated to the township and city offices, delaying the response.

She stated that the disaster was caused by insufficient early warning and delayed decision-making, leading to overworked grassroots police and firefighters, increased commuting risks, and widespread flooding in Zhubei City, where roads were not closed and traffic control was not implemented in a timely manner, resulting in losses of vehicles and property.

In response, the Hsinchu County Government stated in writing that the rainfall on the morning of June 26 did not meet the standards for suspending work and classes. Considering the transportation and terrain differences in each township, the authority was initially delegated to the local offices to decide independently. By around 11 a.m., some townships had announced the suspension of work and classes. After coordination with the Hsinchu City Government, and considering the overall integrity of the greater Hsinchu metropolitan area, the county announced the suspension of work and classes for the entire region starting at 12 p.m.

The county government said that a Level 3 emergency response center was established on the evening of June 25, and it was upgraded to Level 2 at 9:30 a.m. on June 26, under the command of County Magistrate Yang Wen-ko. Subsequently, relief and recovery efforts continued. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150630

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