Latest Updates on Typhoon Bavi: Did All Work-Suspension Cities Meet Criteria? Doctor Reveals Lai Ching-te Once Called: Typhoon Holidays Are Getting Increasingly Strange

Typhoon Bavi approached Taiwan over the weekend, leading several counties and cities to suspend work and classes today (the 10th). According to the latest typhoon update, the Central Weather Bureau issued a land warning at 5:30 a.m. As of 8 a.m., the center of Typhoon Bavi was located approximately 700 kilometers east of Eluanbi. Notably, since Bavi is expected to have its strongest impact from tonight through tomorrow morning and has weakened to a moderate typhoon, many areas in northern Taiwan experienced clear skies despite the declared 'typhoon holiday.' In response, physician Shen Cheng-nan stated bluntly on his personal YouTube channel that the way typhoon holidays are granted is becoming increasingly strange.

Which counties and cities suspended work and classes on Friday? Taichung and Nantou to suspend from 6 p.m.

Here is the full list of work and class suspensions across Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities on the 10th:

Counties and cities suspending work and classes: Keelung City, Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Miaoli County, Lienchiang County.

Counties and cities suspending work and classes from 6 p.m.: Taichung City, Nantou County

Counties and cities continuing work and classes: Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Taitung County, Penghu County, Kinmen County, and Lüdao and Lanyu

Did Friday’s work-suspension areas actually meet wind and rain thresholds?

Shen Cheng-nan pointed out that no county or city had wind and rain forecasts exceeding official thresholds today, yet 12 counties and cities declared typhoon holidays, including the particularly strange case of central Taiwan (Taichung and Nantou) starting their holiday at 6 p.m. This shows that wind and rain forecasts are merely for reference, and the decision to grant typhoon holidays ultimately lies with county and city mayors, who sometimes insist on 'thresholds being exceeded' and at other times emphasize local conditions. He stated bluntly that Taiwan is so small—why not just grant a nationwide holiday? Having each county decide separately makes no sense. He further compared this to Taiwan granting 7 to 9 days of annual leave to accommodate a small number of people traveling abroad, yet being extremely cautious about typhoon holidays—a logic he finds completely inconsistent.

Did Lai Ching-te’s typhoon holiday decision nearly affect his premiership?

Shen recalled that in 2016, he had suggested Taiwan, which averages 3–4 typhoon landfalls per year, could implement a nationwide holiday with a 'return surplus, make up deficit' system, as long as the total number didn’t exceed the annual limit. At the time, then-Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te called him to explain why only a half-day holiday was granted. Later, during Typhoon Haitang in 2017, Lai initially insisted on no holiday but reversed the decision on the same day when wind and rain exceeded thresholds, causing citizens to travel in bad weather only to return home—sparking widespread criticism. Although Lai became Premier just two months later, rumors circulated that his delayed typhoon holiday announcement might have jeopardized his premiership appointment.

Why weren’t typhoon holidays synchronized across central Taiwan? Changhua continued normal operations

'Back then, God Lai started holidays at noon; now, Madam Lu is even more impressive—starting at 6 p.m.!' Shen sarcastically noted that Taichung and Nantou began their typhoon holiday at 6 p.m., yet oddly, while Nantou followed suit, Changhua continued normal work and classes. 'Wasn’t there supposed to be coordination among Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou?' He also mocked that according to standards, no holiday should have been granted, yet to 'consider public sentiment,' the announcement was made just six hours before the July 11 typhoon holiday—pointless. If you want to appease the public, grant a full day; if you want to be a 'God Lai'-level mayor, don’t grant any holiday. Trying to do both only angers more people.

More exclusive reports from Wind Media: · Taipei once suspended work and classes for a week—when will Bavi’s wind and rain arrive? A writer revisits the history of typhoon holidays—do typhoons prefer to hit on weekends? · Was the typhoon holiday decision wrong? Tomorrow morning might have good weather—CWB warns the sky will 'turn' at this time: strong winds and heavy rains will be very evident · Is Friday’s typhoon holiday uncertain? Bavi’s latest path has 'slowed down' but remains large and strong—this county has a 100% chance of impact