Typhoon strikes mainland China following its passage over Taiwan as a storm.
Typhoon Podul Wreaks Havoc Across Taiwan and Southeastern China
As of August 22, 2025, Typhoon Podul has made landfall in eastern Taiwan and southeastern China. The storm hit Taiwan's Taitung County on August 13 with wind gusts up to 178-191 km/h, bringing heavy rain, flooding, power outages, and infrastructural disruption across southern and central Taiwan.
Over 8,000 people were evacuated, and at least 112 were injured, with 1 person missing after being swept away at sea. Businesses closed, flights were grounded, and over 42,000 households still lacked power following the storm's passage.
After crossing Taiwan, Podul weakened to a severe tropical storm and made a second landfall in Zhangpu County, Fujian Province, China, with sustained winds around 108 km/h (67 mph). Emergency flood alerts were raised in Fujian and Guangdong provinces, with preparations underway to manage potential flooding and further impacts. Podul caused power outages and flight cancellations in the affected Chinese regions.
The Central Weather Administration in Taiwan had predicted that Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Chiayi will become major rainfall hotspots, along with Penghu and Kinmen. In Taitung County, wind gusts of up to 178 km/h were recorded before the typhoon's landfall.
In Taiwan, many ferry services were suspended, and businesses and schools across the south closed. Streets in the port city of Kaohsiung were littered with fallen branches. All domestic flights across Taiwan were cancelled, along with dozens of international journeys.
More than 31,500 soldiers were ready to assist in rescue and relief efforts in Taiwan. The death toll from flash floods and mudslides in northwest China last week has risen to 13, while torrential rain in Taiwan between July 28 and August 4 left at least five people dead.
The immediate destructive impacts of Typhoon Podul in Taiwan have passed, and the storm has weakened after moving into mainland China. Authorities in southern China remain on alert for heavy rainfall and flooding risks, particularly in Fujian and Guangdong provinces.
In Guangdong province, schools have paused classes due to Typhoon Podul. Parts of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces will see heavy to torrential rain due to Typhoon Podul. Some areas in Taiwan recorded rainfall exceeding Taiwan's total rainfall of 2.1 metres in all of 2024 during this period.
High-speed rail services on the west coast were reduced, while train services in the southeast were cancelled. Train and ferry services in Guangdong have been temporarily halted due to Typhoon Podul.
Heavy rain in Beijing in the north killed 44 people last month, with the capital's rural suburbs hardest hit.
References: [1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58264623 [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/typhoon-podul-hits-taiwan-with-strong-winds-rain-2025-08-13/ [3] https://www.cnn.com/world/asia/typhoon-podul-taiwan-2025-08-13/index.html [4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/13/typhoon-podul-hits-taiwan-with-strong-winds-and-rain [5] https://www.cnnphilippines.com/world/2025/8/14/typhoon-podul-hits-taiwan-with-strong-winds-and-heavy-rain.html
- As Typhoon Podul moves westward, international businesses may experience disruptions in both Taiwan and southern China as heavy rain and flooding continue to impact both regions.
- Emergency flood alerts have been raised in Fujian and Guangdong provinces, indicating that the international business community should remain vigilant and prepare for potential flooding and further impacts to operations in China.
