The annual Wanan air defense exercise is scheduled to be held across the nation from July 24 to July 27, with civilians required to shelter in place while the drills are being conducted in their area, the Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday.
Air raid sirens are to sound at 1:30pm to signal the start of the 30-minute drills on July 24 in northern Taiwan, July 25 in southern Taiwan, July 26 in eastern Taiwan and outlying counties, and July 27 in central Taiwan, the ministry said.
Under the ministry’s zoning system for the drills, northern Taiwan includes Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu county and city, and Yilan County, while southern Taiwan covers Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung County.
Photo: CNA
The eastern and outlying areas include Hualien, Taitung, Penghu, Kinmen and Lienchiang counties, while central Taiwan comprises Taichung, Chiayi city and county, and Miaoli, Changhua, Nantou and Yunlin counties.
City and county governments are to designate a township, city or district where even stricter evacuation protocols would be implemented, the ministry said.
In those areas, drivers would be asked to stop their vehicles and seek shelter with passengers while following police instructions, it said.
Following the half-hour air raid drills, local governments would stage another 30 minutes of drills to test shelter operations, and check if utilities are working and ensure there are enough supplies, the ministry said.
The air defense exercise this year aims to raise public awareness of emergency warnings to reduce the possibility of casualties and damage if attacks occur, it added.
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