Taiwanese authorities are rushing to evacuate hundreds of residents ahead of the anticipated landfall of Typhoon Podul, which is barreling toward the island’s southeastern coast. The mid-strength storm, with gusts reaching up to 155 km/h (96 mph), is forecast to strike near Taitung on Wednesday before sweeping across the island and heading toward China’s Fujian province later this week.
The Central Weather Administration warned that southern mountainous regions could receive as much as 600 mm (24 inches) of rain over the coming days, raising fears of severe flooding and landslides. This is especially concerning for the eastern county of Hualien, where nearly 700 residents are being evacuated due to the risk of overflow from a natural dam created by a previous landslide.
“We must especially urge people living downstream to follow government instructions and evacuate,” stressed Chu Chung-jui of the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction. He added that authorities are closely monitoring the landslide lake to prevent a catastrophic collapse.
Typhoon Podul’s arrival comes as southern Taiwan is still reeling from the effects of recent extreme weather. In July, a rare typhoon struck the island’s west coast directly, bringing record-breaking winds, crippling the electricity grid, and damaging homes. In some areas, more than a year’s worth of rain fell in just one week, triggering widespread flooding and landslides that claimed four lives.
Local governments in the south are working to relocate residents whose homes were destroyed or rendered unsafe by last month’s storm. Recovery efforts have been further hampered by continuing heavy rains that have soaked already unstable slopes.
Taiwan’s mountainous, sparsely populated east coast often bears the brunt of Pacific typhoons, but the combination of saturated ground, swollen rivers, and damaged infrastructure means that even a mid-strength storm like Podul poses serious risks. Officials are deploying emergency crews, reinforcing flood defenses, and preparing shelters in anticipation of the storm’s impact.
As the typhoon intensifies on its approach, authorities are urging the public to stay informed through official channels, avoid unnecessary travel, and comply with evacuation orders. With memories of recent devastation still fresh, Taiwan is bracing for another round of nature’s fury.
