Taiwan Simulates 40 C Climate Disaster Scenario As Heat Soars
As global temperatures shatter records, Taiwan has launched its first-ever extreme heat response drill, simulating a prolonged 40 C heatwave. The simulation tested a chain of hot-weather accidents, including a massive power grid overload, hospital emergency room surges and severed water supplies. While extreme heat is not legally classified as a natural disaster in Taiwan, the environment ministry warns that preparation for a potential super El Niño must start now.
Dozens of officials in charge of disaster response, water resources, transportation and public health are all gathering in Taipei for the country's first extreme-heat response drill.The drill simulated a chain of accidents under 40 degrees Celsius conditions in Taipei. While residents blasted air conditioning to cool down... power was cut off for thousands of households and key facilities like hospitals. Dozens of patients with heat injuries were rushed to the ER. And at night, water pumps lost power too.
HSIEH YEIN-RUI, DEPUTY ENVIRONMENT MINISTER:
"Residents, factories, businesses, schools—everyone relies on air conditioning. But the reality is that high heat has increased the demand for electricity. When we add on other industrial power usage, if our power consumption suddenly surges, we need to consider disaster scenarios, especially if feeder lines break down and we experience some blackouts. If there are vulnerable people in those areas, we need to prioritize looking after them."
The environment ministry organized the drill, and says Taiwan needs to prepare for a potential super El Nino weather phenomenon this year... citing extreme temperatures and heat waves here and in Europe.
HSIEH YEIN-RUI, DEPUTY ENVIRONMENT MINISTER:
"Europe’s power-saving and carbon-cutting efforts are very good. But air conditioning in houses or hotels there is not as widespread as in Taiwan. Just about every Taiwanese household has AC."
Extreme heat is not listed as a natural disaster under Taiwanese law... but officials here say there are growing efforts to prevent the damage it could cause, such as setting up a central database for hospital capacity and an online map where members of the public can find shelter.
Officials say while temperatures in Taiwan have not pushed past the 40-degree threshold... The government will work closely with the public to prevent heat-related disasters.
