TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Podul unleashed devastating winds and torrential rains across Taiwan Wednesday (Aug. 13), forcing the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national weather service, to issue urgent updated forecasts. Officials warned that Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County would face punishing rainfall totaling 200 to 300 millimeters (7.9 to 11.8 inches) in low-lying areas and 200 to 450 millimeters (7.9 to 17.7 inches) in mountainous regions. The storm prompted widespread preparations across southern Taiwan as communities braced for potential flooding.
The CWA issued comprehensive land and sea typhoon warnings as the storm's center positioned itself 110 kilometers (68 miles) southeast of Taitung at 9 a.m., advancing west-northwest at speeds of 29 to 32 kilometers per hour (18 to 20 mph). Meteorologists projected rainfall from Aug. 12 through late Aug. 14 would total 250 to 400 millimeters (9.8 to 15.7 inches) across Hualien and Taitung's lowlands, while mountainous areas in Kaohsiung and Pingtung could receive 400 to 600 millimeters (15.7 to 23.6 inches).
Officials updated the land-based strong wind advisory, warning that Taitung County and Penghu County could experience devastating average winds exceeding level 12 or dangerous gusts surpassing level 14 on Taiwan's wind scale system. Authorities indicated that classes and work suspensions might occur if the typhoon's radius passes through areas within four hours with average wind speeds exceeding level 7. Meanwhile, 30,000 military personnel remained on standby for disaster relief operations as the land warning area expanded south of Changhua to encompass 10 counties and cities. ◼