Taipei: The Ministry of Environment (MOENV) held its first “anti-heat” drill Tuesday, with Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming stating that urban heat is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius “very soon.”

According to Focus Taiwan, the drill simulated a “red signal” scenario defined by the Central Weather Administration (CWA), which occurs when the daily maximum temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days. During the drill, government agencies reported their planned responses to such an extreme heat event.

Various agencies participated in the drill, including the Ministry of Transportation, the CWA, and the Ministry of Labor, as well as local governments such as those of Taipei and Hsinchu City. Minister Peng highlighted that record heat is being recorded annually, with the Taipei Basin area identified as the hottest due to climate factors, landscape, and global warming.

Peng compared extreme heat to typhoons, emphasizing the need to start drills now to refine responses, such as determining when and where local governments will spray water to reduce the heat and alerting pet owners to prevent their pets from venturing outside. He also noted that extreme heat is currently not covered by the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act and expressed hope that the Ministry of Interior would consider amending the law.

Lin Tzu-ping, a civil engineering professor at National Cheng Kung University who attended the drill, mentioned that simulations like this help identify lapses in response and facilitate the development of long-term solutions. He stressed the importance for government agencies to know who or where may be affected by the heat and pointed out that this year’s drill did not include large outdoor events like religious gatherings, marathons, and concerts, which could also be significantly impacted.

Professor Wang Yu-chun from Chung Yuan Christian University’s Department of Environmental Engineering added that future drills should consider complex effects of the heat, such as disrupted medical services following heat-induced electricity and water outages. She also warned of additional threats, including damage to ecosystems in urban areas, such as the Taipei Zoo and parks around Taiwan, and the risk of fires from waste exposed to heat.