Overview

• Work and school were suspended in nine cities and counties in southern and eastern Taiwan, and hundreds of domestic flights were cancelled.
• Authorities evacuated almost 5,000 residents, including about 700 in Hualien County downstream of a natural dam, under warnings of flash floods and landslide-induced dam overflow.
• Podul brought gusts up to 191 kph before landfall, with models forecasting a peak intensity of 175–185 kph that could drive coastal flooding and debris flows.
• Landfall is expected near Taitung on Wednesday afternoon, with rapid weakening over Taiwan’s mountains before the storm re-emerges in the Taiwan Strait en route to Fujian later this week.
• Forecast uncertainty prompted warnings in Hong Kong, Okinawa and the northern Philippines for heavy rain, strong winds and high seas.