Storm Typhoon Podul hits Taiwan's shoreline
Typhoon Podul Hits Taiwan, Causing Widespread Disruption
Typhoon Podul made landfall in Taiwan on August 13, 2025, causing significant disruption across the island. The storm primarily impacted the southeast, especially Taitung County, leading to agricultural damage, flight delays, and power outages in affected areas.
Agricultural Damage
The typhoon, along with heavy rains in previous weeks, severely damaged crops in central and southern Taiwan. Fruit and cash crops were particularly affected, along with landslides through the island's mountainous center, worsening the agricultural losses.
Flight Delays and Cancellations
Nearly 400 domestic and international flights were delayed or cancelled, with about a dozen specifically impacted in southern Taiwan, including flights to and from affected areas like Taitung. Taiwan's main international airport and high-tech industrial zones faced operational limitations due to the storm.
Affected Areas
The southeast coast, especially Taitung County and Taimali, were hardest hit, with strong winds tearing roofs, damaging businesses, and causing power outages in rural areas. Schools and government offices were closed in Yunlin County and counties southward, including Hualien and Taitung, as a precaution. The storm traveled westward across Taiwan's southern third before moving out toward the Taiwan Strait and mainland China.
Storm Characteristics
Podul was a Category 2 typhoon with winds up to 150 km/h, spanning 120 km. It moved rapidly, crossing the island at about 36 km/h, weakening as it moved inland over mountainous terrain.
Recovery and Aftermath
Recovery crews are on alert due to Typhoon Podul. The heavy rains in recent weeks knocked out electricity to rural areas in central and southern Taiwan, and it took weeks to repair. Flooding, damage to cash crops, and landslides are common consequences of typhoons in Taiwan. Fortunately, the recent heavy rains in central and southern Taiwan caused minimal casualties.
Looking Ahead
The Central Meteorological Agency predicted that the storm would head out to the Taiwan Strait and China by late afternoon. The storm was expected to broaden even while losing strength as it moved westward across the Taiwan Strait. Despite the disruption caused by Typhoon Podul, Taiwan's resilience and recovery efforts are already underway.
[1] Central News Agency, Taiwan. (2025, August 13). Typhoon Podul makes landfall in Taiwan, causing widespread disruption. Retrieved from https://www.cna.com.tw/article/mec/20250813-s2e3c3i/
[2] Central Weather Bureau, Taiwan. (2025, August 13). Typhoon Podul update: Storm moving westward across Taiwan. Retrieved from https://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/CWB/Notice/Typhoon/20250813_01.htm
[3] Farmers Association of Taiwan, Taiwan. (2025, August 13). Typhoon Podul causes severe agricultural damage in central and southern Taiwan. Retrieved from https://www.farmers.org.tw/news/20250813-typhoon-podul-causes-severe-agricultural-damage-in-central-and-southern-taiwan/
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