Typhoon Podul to make landfall near Taitung today with wind speed of 191 kmph

Taiwan: Typhoon Podul is expected to make landfall near Taitung at about noon today and cut through southern Taiwan before moving into the Taiwan Strait in the late afternoon or evening, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

It was carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of 155kph, with gusts of up to 191kph. Podul has slightly intensified, with its center located over waters east-southeast of Taitung and moving west-northwest, the agency said.

The storm’s radius reached land in Hualien, Taitung and the Hengchun Peninsula by 6am, the CWA said. As of 10am, its eye was 90km southeast of Taitung, and moving west-northwest at 32kph, CWA data showed.

Hualien, Taitung and mountainous areas in the south have a high likelihood of rainfall reaching extreme heavy rain levels (24-hour accumulated rainfall exceeding 200mm, or three-hour accumulated rainfall exceeding 100mm) or above.

The CWA said parts of Taitung including Green Island and Orchid Island have experienced gusts of 150kph, and even stronger gust can be expected in those areas later in the day.

Hualien, Taitung and the Hengchun Peninsula may see gusts of 103kph or higher, while Penghu may see sustained winds of 103kph or gusts of 118kph or higher.

Ahead of the landing of Typhoon Podul in Taiwan, a large swathe of its southern and eastern part has shut down with thousands of people evacuated.

The mid-strength Typhoon Podul was heading for the southeastern city of Taitung as it intensifies and was expected to make landfall nearby by today afternoon, weather officials said. Nine cities and counties announced the suspension of work and school for today, including cancellation of all domestic flights.