Key Facts
• Typhoon Podul’s gale zone reached Taiwan’s main island at 6:00 AM, August 13.
• Center located 170 km southeast of Taitung, moving northwest at 30 km/h.
• Gale radius expanded from 150 km to 180 km in 3 hours.
• Expected landfall near Taitung before noon, exiting Taiwan Strait by evening.
• Wind speeds forecasted: 15–16 grade (45–50 m/s) in Taitung, Green Island, Orchid Island.
• Heavy rain warnings issued for 18 regions:
– Torrential rain: Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien, Taitung.
– Heavy rain: Chiayi, Tainan, Yilan.
– Rain: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi City, Penghu.
• Taipei faces 9-grade winds (20 m/s), nearing work/school suspension thresholds.
• “Corner effect” may intensify winds in northern Taiwan post-landfall.
• Residents advised to remain cautious during outdoor activities.
Summary
Typhoon Podul has rapidly intensified, with its gale zone reaching Taiwan’s main island early on August 13. The storm’s center, located 170 km southeast of Taitung, is moving northwest at 30 km/h. It is expected to make landfall near Taitung before noon and exit into the Taiwan Strait by evening. The storm’s gale radius has expanded to 180 km, with wind speeds of up to 50 m/s predicted in Taitung, Green Island, and Orchid Island. Heavy rain warnings have been issued for 18 regions, including torrential rain in Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien, and Taitung. Taipei faces strong winds nearing suspension thresholds, with the “corner effect” potentially intensifying conditions in northern Taiwan. Residents are urged to exercise caution.
