Typhoon Podul has brought severe destruction to southern Taiwan, leaving one person missing and forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The typhoon made landfall on Wednesday, bringing powerful winds of up to 191km/h (118mph) that slammed into the southeastern city of Taitung. Schools, workplaces, and hundreds of flights have been closed or cancelled due to the storm.
According to the Taiwanese government, over 5,500 people were evacuated ahead of the typhoon’s arrival, while all domestic flights and 129 international routes have been cancelled. The typhoon is expected to make landfall again on China’s southern coast late on Wednesday or early Thursday, affecting Fujian and Guangdong provinces.
Heavy rain is forecast for southern Taiwan’s mountainous areas, with up to 600mm (almost 24 inches) of rainfall expected over the next few days. Nine cities and counties have suspended work and school, including Kaohsiung and Tainan. The typhoon has also caused damage to fruit and cash crops, as well as landslides through the island’s centre.
Typhoon Podul is the latest in a series of storms to affect Taiwan, which experiences frequent tropical storms from July to October. Scientists say human-driven climate change is contributing to more intense weather patterns.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/13/typhoon-podul-intensifies-on-approach-to-southern-taiwan