The Taipei City Government instructed drivers yesterday not to park on elevated roads and bridges that used to be available for parking on typhoon days.
The city's Department of Transportation said it would no longer approve parking on the roads and bridges during typhoons because of safety concerns, since the policy had been blamed for accidents in the past.
Department Director Luo Shiaw-shyan (羅孝賢) said the city would consider making available certain roads and bridges if its emergency response center confirmed serious flooding had occurred and made a recommendation that bridges be made available for parking.
The city government launched its emergency response mechanism yesterday after the Central Weather Bureau issued a sea and land alert for Tropical Storm Pabuk. Officials promised to spare no effort to prevent any storm-related disasters.
"Natural disasters can't be prevented, but the city government will be fully prepared for the typhoon and prevent any disasters that might result from human error," Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (
In response to concerns about flooding in low-lying areas such as Beitou (
Hau urged the central government to approve a city project to improve Shezi Island's drainage system to resolve the flooding problem there.
The Parking Management Office told car owners who park at riverbank parking lots to pay attention to typhoon information and move their vehicles before the water gates are closed.
Parking information can be found at www.pma.taipei.gov.tw/index3-1.asp or by calling 02-2759-0666, ext.6401.
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