If you are traveling in northern Taiwan on Thursday, 13 August 2026, do not be alarmed by a sudden loud alarm on your phone in the afternoon. From 2:30pm to 3:00pm, Taiwan holds its annual air-defense drill (part of the 2026 Urban Resilience exercise). For about 30 minutes, mobile data is intentionally slowed across seven areas, and people on the street may be directed to take shelter. It is planned, routine and temporary. Here is what travelers need to know.
What is happening on 13 August?
This is a scheduled civil-defense (air-raid) drill, held every year. On 13 August 2026 it runs from 14:30 to 15:00 in northern Taiwan. When the alert sounds, pedestrians and vehicles are guided by military, police and civil-defense personnel to move to shelter for the duration of the exercise. It is not a real emergency.
Which areas are affected?
Mobile networks will be slowed in seven areas of northern Taiwan:
- Taipei City
- New Taipei City
- Keelung City
- Taoyuan City
- Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County
- Yilan County
If your itinerary that afternoon is in Taipei, Jiufen, Yilan or nearby, you are in the drill zone.
Will my phone still work?
Two things happen. First, at around 2:30pm your phone will play a loud emergency alert, which can be startling if you are not expecting it. Second, mobile data will be intentionally slowed for about 30 minutes. This applies to all networks, so an eSIM or SIM makes no difference here. Everything returns to normal after 3:00pm. Calls and messaging may be sluggish during the window, so plan around it.
Does transport keep running?
Yes. Flights, trains, the High Speed Rail, buses and the MRT all continue to operate as normal, taking off, docking and running on schedule. However, passengers who have just gotten off a plane, ship or vehicle, and people dropping off or picking up others, may still be directed to take shelter during the drill. Factories keep operating with doors and windows closed. Power is not cut.
What should travelers do during the drill?
- Do not panic. The loud alert and shelter guidance are part of a routine exercise.
- Follow instructions from police and civil-defense personnel. Cooperation is expected, and repeated refusal can result in a penalty.
- Plan an indoor break from 14:30 to 15:00, for example a cafe, a shop or your hotel.
- Screenshot what you need in advance. Because data slows, save your maps, hotel address and route offline before 2:30pm.
- If directed, move to a basement or a marked air-raid shelter and follow the signage.
Is it safe to travel in Taiwan that day?
Yes. This is a routine annual civil-defense exercise, not an emergency. Outside the 30-minute window, your day continues as normal. The main thing is simply to know it is coming so the alarm and the brief data slowdown do not catch you off guard.
Frequently asked questions
Will my eSIM avoid the slowdown?
No. The slowdown is a network-wide measure during the drill, so all eSIMs and SIM cards are affected equally. Service returns to normal after 3:00pm.
Do I have to stop and take shelter?
If you are outdoors in an affected area when the alert sounds, follow the directions of on-site personnel. The simplest option is to already be indoors during the 30 minutes.
How long does it last?
Thirty minutes, from 14:30 to 15:00 on 13 August 2026.
Travel Taiwan with less to worry about
Events like this are easy to handle when you know about them in advance. For the rest of your trip, staying connected and prepared makes everything smoother. Grab our free Taiwan Arrival Pack for arrival tips and local know-how, or set up a DiTrip Taiwan eSIM with real local support before you fly.