Typhoon Podul Threatens Taiwan with Heavy Rains

Typhoon Podul forced the closure of schools and government offices across Taiwan on Wednesday, as authorities braced for heavy rainfall and potential damage to agriculture and infrastructure. The storm, located southeast of the island in the morning, was moving at 155 kilometers per hour and is expected to make landfall later today before crossing Taiwan’s southern tip, according to the Central Meteorological Agency. While high waves and strong winds have already hit the east coast, significant rainfall is yet to materialize, but officials remain vigilant.

Podul, with a skirt spanning 120 kilometers, is projected to widen as it weakens crossing the Taiwan Strait toward China. The storm is expected to lose strength after hitting Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range, a common pattern for typhoons impacting the island. Areas such as Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Yunlin, Pingtung, Hualien, and the Penghu Islands are likely to bear the brunt, facing risks of flooding, landslides, and crop damage. About a dozen flights to southern regions were delayed or canceled, though Taipei’s international airport and high-tech industrial zones remain largely unaffected.

Recent heavy rains have already caused significant agricultural losses and power outages in central and southern Taiwan, with recovery efforts still ongoing. Typhoons frequently disrupt fruit and cash crop production and trigger landslides in Taiwan’s mountainous interior. Authorities have mobilized recovery crews to address potential damage, particularly in rural areas still recovering from earlier storms. The government is urging residents to stay cautious and prepare for worsening conditions as Podul approaches.

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