Hurricane Podul moves through southern Taiwan
In the capital Taipei, blustery winds greeted residents on Wednesday, but Typhoon Podul, initially a strong typhoon near Taiwan, had no significant impact. The typhoon, however, brought chaos to southern Taiwan, where four deaths have been reported due to landslides and flooding this month, and 33 others were injured.
As Typhoon Podul passed through the southern tip of the island and into the Taiwan Strait some three hours later, nine cities and counties, including the southern metropolises of Kaohsiung and Tainan, suspended work and school for Wednesday. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, with 252 domestic flights grounded in Taiwan. Major airlines like China Airlines and EVA Air cancelled several flights out of Kaohsiung and from Taiwan’s main international airport at Taoyuan.
Authorities in Taiwan evacuated more than 5,500 people in anticipation of Typhoon Podul. One person is still missing.
Podul, now a severe tropical storm, made landfall in southeastern China's Zhangpu County in Fujian province around 1pm local time on Thursday. The storm brought extensive rainfall, with Guangzhou, in Guangdong province, recording up to 622.6 mm (24.5 inches) of rain.
In Guangdong’s Chaozhou city, classes and some government functions were suspended, while Hong Kong issued its highest rainstorm warning, suspending court proceedings and advising citizens to avoid shorelines due to squalls from the storm’s outer bands. Despite heavy precipitation and wind-related disruptions, no major casualties or severe damage were initially reported in southern China.
Flood control authorities in both Fujian and Guangdong directed localities to maintain close monitoring and emergency preparedness to ensure public safety. The Central Weather Administration forecast up to 600mm (24 inches) of rain in southern mountainous areas over the coming few days.
In summary:
- Typhoon Podul, initially a strong typhoon near Taiwan, weakened to a severe tropical storm before making landfall in southeastern China, impacting Fujian and Guangdong provinces with heavy rains, strong winds, and evacuations.
- As of mid-August 2025, both Fujian and Guangdong had upgraded their emergency typhoon responses to Level III in anticipation of Podul’s arrival, expecting heavy rains and strong gales between Wednesday and Friday.
- Podul made its second landfall in Fujian’s Zhangpu County early Thursday as a severe tropical storm with sustained winds around 108 km/h (67 mph).
- It brought extensive rainfall, with Guangdong recording up to 622.6 mm (24.5 inches) in Guangzhou, leading to the evacuation of 75,000 people from low-lying areas.
- About 15,000 people living in coastal areas of Fujian and Guangdong were evacuated to safer locations before and during Podul’s approach.
- The forecast calls for continued heavy rains and strong winds through Friday, with close monitoring by flood control authorities to ensure public safety.
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