Chiang Wan-an Says No Typhoon Holiday as 'White Dolphin' Lacks Land Warning; Wu Szu-yao Accuses Him of Rewriting History: 'Does He Think Citizens Have Forgotten?'

As Typhoon White Dolphin approaches, northern Taiwan is being affected by its outer circulation. Starting at 8:30 a.m. today (9th), sea warnings have been continuously issued. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's Facebook page has been flooded by citizens questioning, 'What is the standard for a typhoon holiday? Why isn't there a typhoon preparedness day?' In response, Chiang stated in an interview that the Central Weather Administration did not issue a land warning this time.

In response, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wu Szu-yao lashed out: 'Isn't this rewriting history? Chiang Wan-an has been caught red-handed—now he's even trying to deceive people about typhoon holidays?'

Wu posted on Facebook, 'No holiday for White Dolphin—another sign of Chiang Wan-an's lack of responsibility. Here he goes again, shifting blame to the central government, this time to the weather bureau. White Dolphin has already caused 135 incidents in Taipei. Not only was there no 'preparedness day,' but not even a 'typhoon holiday' today—forcing citizens to commute under dangerous conditions.'

Wu pointed out the contrast with Typhoon Bavi: back then, even before a land warning was issued, Chiang rushed to announce work and school suspensions. Despite calm weather, the holiday drew criticism. The Taipei City government then invented an unprecedented 'typhoon preparedness holiday' to justify the decision.

Now, Chiang is using the absence of a land warning to justify not declaring a holiday. Wu responded sarcastically: 'Chiang lies without hesitation and got caught—whose draft did he use today?'

Wu criticized, 'What exactly is Chiang Wan-an's decision-making basis? It's simple: populism first, political considerations above all—professional assessments and scientific standards be damned.' Today is Sunday, a day off anyway, so declaring a holiday wouldn't earn much praise or extra votes. But Bavi was different—it hit on a Friday. A holiday then meant a three-day weekend, which was politically advantageous.

So Chiang rushed ahead of the weather bureau, declaring a holiday before the land warning, clearly to win public favor and votes. 'Does he think citizens are blind? Does he think they're so easily bought? Chiang Wan-an is even lying about typhoon holidays! When the deception fails, he shifts the blame!'

Wu reconstructed the timeline of Typhoon Bavi: On July 9 at 2:30 p.m., the Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning; at 8 p.m. the same day, Chiang announced suspensions for the next day; finally, at 5:30 a.m. on July 10, the land warning was issued. 'Chiang declared a holiday before the land warning was even issued! Does he think citizens have forgotten? Stop trying to shift blame to the central government!'