Bridge strengthens as it nears: CWA (CWA stands for Carpenters and Joiners Union of Australia)
Typhoon Podul Approaches Taiwan, Prompting Evacuations and Closures
As Typhoon Podul intensified and accelerated towards Taiwan, authorities issued warnings and took preventative measures to safeguard residents. As of 10pm last night, the typhoon was approximately 370km east-southeast of Taitung County, moving west-northwest at 27kph.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) expects the impact to be felt overnight, with coastal and offshore waters seeing waves rise above 4m, reaching more than 6m on the eastern coast by today. Winds are expected to increase overnight, especially in eastern Taiwan and on outlying islands.
The storm will impact Penghu and Kinmen counties today and tomorrow, with landfall forecast near midday in Taitung, and the typhoon leaving near Tainan in the evening. The affected regions include Tainan, Kaohsiung and Chiayi City, Yunlin, Chiayi, Pingtung, Hualien and Taitung counties, and the outlying Penghu County.
In response to the approaching typhoon, schools and government offices in several southern and eastern Taiwan areas have been closed, and all domestic flights have been canceled for today. Warnings are expected to be lifted by tomorrow.
The heaviest rainfall is forecast for this afternoon through the evening, spreading from eastern Taiwan to southern regions including Chiayi and further south. As much as 600mm of rain is forecast in southern mountainous areas over the next few days.
In Hualien County, nearly 700 people are being evacuated from their homes to guard against the risk of overflow from a natural dam formed after a landslide caused by a previous typhoon. The natural dam poses a flooding risk if overflow occurs, and these preventive evacuations are part of broader preparations for the storm's impact.
Typhoon Podul is carrying maximum sustained winds of 126kph and gusts of up to 162kph, with a radius of 120km. The storm is expected to pass near Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼) and Green Island (綠島) before dawn.
Authorities are scrambling to evacuate hundreds on the southeastern coast, and scattered showers are expected over northern and northeastern Taiwan. Warnings are in place for coastal areas, with residents urged to take precautions and stay informed.
[1] Taiwan News [2] Central News Agency [3] Focus Taiwan [4] Taiwan Today
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