TAIPEI (Reuters) -A large swathe of southern and eastern Taiwan shut down on Wednesday and hundreds of flights were cancelled ahead of the arrival later in the day of Typhoon Podul, with thousands of people evacuated.

Taiwan is regularly hit by typhoons, generally along its mountainous, sparsely populated east coast facing the Pacific.

The mid-strength Typhoon Podul, packing wind gusts as strong as 191 kph (118 mph), was heading for the southeastern city of Taitung as it intensifies and was expected to make landfall nearby on Wednesday afternoon, weather officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

“Destructive winds from typhoon expected. Take shelter as soon as possible,” read a text message alert issued to cellphone users in parts of Taitung early on Wednesday. The alert warned people of gusts above 150 kph (93 mph) in the coming hours.

Nine cities and counties announced the suspension of work and school for Wednesday, including the southern metropolises of Kaohsiung and Tainan. In the capital Taipei, home to Taiwan’s financial markets, there was no impact.

Authorities are also working to evacuate those whose homes were damaged by a July typhoon that brought record winds and damaged the electricity grid in a rare direct hit to Taiwan’s west coast.

The government said almost 5,000 people had been evacuated ahead of the typhoon’s arrival.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All domestic flights were cancelled on Wednesday, while Taiwan’s two main international carriers China Airlines and EVA Air cancelled a handful of international flights as well.

After making landfall, the storm is expected to hit Taiwan’s much more densely populated western coast before heading for China’s southern province of Fujian later this week.

As much as 600 mm (24 inches) of rain was forecast in southern mountainous areas over the next few days, the Central Weather Administration said.

More than a year’s rainfall fell in a single week this month in some southern areas, unleashing widespread landslides and flooding, with four deaths.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee; Editing by Michael Perry)

On Wednesday, many areas of southern and eastern Taiwan were shut down ahead of Typhoon Podul’s arrival in the region. The typhoon is expected to land in the area later in the day. Taiwan ordered mass evacuations, shut down schools, and cancelled more than 350 flights.

Taiwan Braces For Typhoon Podul’s Arrival

According to Deccan Herald, Typhoon Podul is approaching southern Taiwan with wind gusts as strong as 191 kmph. The typhoon is intensifying as it approaches Taiwan’s southeastern city of Taitung and is expected to make landfall later on Wednesday.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration has forecast about 24 inches of rain in southern mountainous areas over the next few days because of Typhoon Podul. Keeping the weather conditions in mind, nine cities and counties, including Kaohsiung and Tainan, have suspended work and school.

“Destructive winds from typhoon expected. Take shelter as soon as possible,” warning texts were issued in parts of Taitung on Wednesday. So far, there have been no reports of the typhoon’s impact in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. After landfall, Typhoon Podul is expected to hit Taiwan’s densely populated western coast, before heading for China’s Fujian province later this week.

Also Read: Taiwan Rolls Out Digital Nomad Visa For Remote Workers; Eligibility, How To Apply & More Details Inside

Hundreds Of Flights Cancelled

The Taiwan government has, reportedly, evacuated more than 5,500 people ahead of Typhoon Podul’s arrival. On Wednesday, all domestic flights and a few international ones were cancelled. According to Deccan Herald, 252 domestic and 129 international flights were cancelled ahead of the typhoon’s arrival. International carriers like China Airlines and EVA Air cancelled flights on routes out of Kaohsiung. Some flights from Taoyuan’s international airport were also cancelled due to the weather conditions.

Due to its geographical location, Taiwan is highly prone to typhoons. In July this year, the country was hit by Typhoon Danas, which killed two people and injured hundreds. It brought 19.6 inches of rain in just a weekend, triggering landslides and floods.

Also Read: The Coolest Spot In Taiwan, This Ice Cream Shop Is The World’s First To Scoop Up A Michelin Star With Its 7-Course Tasting Menu!

If you’re planning to travel to Taiwan soon, make sure you check for the latest travel and weather updates.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/FeelThaOceanBreeze & Canva Pro/structuresxx (representative image)

First Published: August 13, 2025 11:15 AM

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download

As Typhoon Podul approaches, Taiwan faces significant disruptions, with southern and eastern regions shutting down on Wednesday. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands evacuated, as the island prepares for the mid-strength typhoon expected to impact the region with gusts reaching 191 kph.

The storm targets Taitung and is expected to make landfall by Wednesday afternoon. Alerts warn residents of destructive winds and urge for immediate shelter. Among the affected areas, nine cities, including Kaohsiung and Tainan, have suspended work and school, while Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, remains operational.

Authorities have evacuated nearly 5,000 residents ahead of the storm’s arrival. The aftereffects of July’s severe typhoon still linger, emphasizing the need for prepared responses. As Podul is projected to reach the western coast and continue toward China’s Fujian province, extensive rainfall and potential landslides remain significant threats.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Typhoon Podul hit Taiwan’s sparsely populated southeast coast packing winds of up to 191km/h, as a large swathe of southern and eastern parts of the island shut down and hundreds of flights were cancelled.

Taiwan is regularly hit by typhoons, generally along its mountainous east coast facing the Pacific.

Podul slammed into the south eastern city of Taitung around 1pm (6am Irish time), Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said.

“Destructive winds from typhoon expected. Take shelter ASAP,” read a text message alert issued to people in parts of Taitung early this morning. The alert warned of gusts above 150km/h in the coming hours.

Nine cities and counties announced the suspension of work and school, including the southern metropolises of Kaohsiung and Tainan. In the capital Taipei, home to Taiwan’s financial markets, there were blustery winds but no impact.

Authorities are also working to evacuate those whose homes were damaged by a July typhoon that brought record winds and damaged the electricity grid in a rare direct hit to Taiwan’s west coast.

The government said more than 5,500 people had been evacuated ahead of the typhoon’s arrival.

All domestic flights were cancelled – 252 in total – while 129 international ones were axed too, the transport ministry said.

Taiwan’s two main international carriers China Airlines and EVA Air said their cancellations were focused on routes out of Kaohsiung, with some flights from the island’s main international airport at Taoyuan stopped as well.

After making landfall, the storm is expected to hit Taiwan’s much more densely populated western coast before heading for China’s southern province of Fujian later this week.

As much as 600mm of rain was forecast in southern mountainous areas over the next few days, the Central Weather Administration said.

More than a year’s rainfall fell in a single week this month in some southern areas, causing widespread landslides and flooding, with four deaths reported.

A woman sits in front of a screen displaying information on cancelled domestic flights, as Typhoon Podul approaches the country, in Taipei, Taiwan August 13, 2025. REUTERS

Typhoon Podul hit Taiwan’s sparsely populated southeast coast on Wednesday packing winds of up to 191 kph (118 mph), as a large swathe of southern and eastern parts of the island shut down and hundreds of flights were cancelled.

Taiwan is regularly hit by typhoons, generally along its mountainous east coast facing the Pacific.

Podul slammed into the southeastern city of Taitung around 1 p.m. (0500GMT), Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said.

“Destructive winds from typhoon expected. Take shelter ASAP,” read a text message alert issued to cellphone users in parts of Taitung early on Wednesday. The alert warned people of gusts above 150 kph (93 mph) in the coming hours.

Nine cities and counties announced the suspension of work and school for Wednesday, including the southern metropolises of Kaohsiung and Tainan. In the capital Taipei, home to Taiwan’s financial markets, there were blustery winds but no impact.

Authorities are also working to evacuate those whose homes were damaged by a July typhoon that brought record winds and damaged the electricity grid in a rare direct hit to Taiwan’s west coast.

The government said more than 5,500 people had been evacuated ahead of the typhoon’s arrival.

All domestic flights were cancelled on Wednesday – 252 in total – while 129 international ones were axed too, the transport ministry said.

Taiwan’s two main international carriers China Airlines 2610.TW and EVA Air 2618.TW said their cancellations were focused on routes out of Kaohsiung, with some flights from the island’s main international airport at Taoyuan stopped as well.

After making landfall, the storm is expected to hit Taiwan’s much more densely populated western coast before heading for China’s southern province of Fujian later this week.

As much as 600 mm (24 inches) of rain was forecast in southern mountainous areas over the next few days, the Central Weather Administration said.

More than a year’s rainfall fell in a single week this month in some southern areas, unleashing widespread landslides and flooding, with four deaths.