Taiwan launches nationwide town resilience (civil defence) drill in August 2026

Taiwan will hold a 2026 town resilience (civil defence) drill across the island in August. In the south, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung will conduct the exercise on the morning of 7 August, with traffic control, police and civil‑defence personnel directing people and vehicles to shelters. All Kaohsiung Metro stations will operate "in only, out prohibited" and the Kaohsiung light‑rail will be suspended. Violations can be fined up to NT$150,000.

In the central and northern regions, the drill includes a temporary slowdown of mobile data networks. The central area (Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi and Chiayi City) will practice the slowdown on 10 August, while the north (Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Yilan) will do so on 13 August. The slowdown may affect online payments, mobile banking and e‑ticketing. Chunghwa Post advises using Wi‑Fi or in‑person services, and Taoyuan International Airport urges passengers to arrive early, print tickets and rely on airport Wi‑Fi, as shuttle buses will be halted but flights and the airport MRT will continue operating.