A powerful storm is barreling towards the eastern coast, forcing thousands to flee their homes. Typhoon Podul, now a beast of a storm, is set to smash into Taitung, a quieter part of the island, bringing with it terrifying wind gusts. Locals are rushing to secure what they can, bracing for the worst.
By Wednesday, August 13, 2025, officials had issued full alerts. The eye of Typhoon Podul was whipping up winds of 155 kilometers per hour. Some gusts were even higher, hitting a staggering 191 kilometers per hour. The Central Weather Administration, the island’s weather watchers, confirmed these alarming figures.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall around midday. After hitting Taitung, it will likely sweep across the island towards the Taiwan Strait. This path means heavy rainfall for several areas. Mountainous parts of Kaohsiung and Pingtung are particularly at risk, along with Hualien and Taitung provinces. People in these regions are on high alert for floods and landslides.
Fisherman Huang Wei in Kaohsiung knows a thing or two about rough weather. He told reporters he had secured his boat the day before. But Wednesday morning, after hearing the typhoon had grown even stronger, he rushed back to tie down his vessel even more. He explained that Podul felt as strong as Typhoon Ketsana, which hit Kaohsiung last October. Ketsana brought gusts of 162 kilometers per hour and caused massive damage, a memory still fresh in many minds.
Island Braces for Impact
Authorities are not taking chances. Disaster agencies reported that over 5,500 people have already moved to safer ground. Getting around the island has become difficult; all domestic flights are cancelled, and dozens of international flights have been grounded. Ferry services have also stopped running. In the southern parts of the island, schools and many businesses have shut their doors, leaving streets quiet and empty.
This isn’t the first time the island has faced nature’s fury recently. Back in early July, Typhoon Danas caused widespread chaos. That storm claimed two lives and injured hundreds, dropping over 500 millimeters of rain in some spots. Then, just weeks later, from July 28 to August 4, continuous heavy rains battered the area again. That second round of bad weather led to five more deaths, three people missing, and 78 injuries.
The island now holds its breath, hoping Podul will be kinder than its predecessors.
Source: channelnewsasia