TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) issued an urgent warning Monday (Aug. 11) as Typhoon Podul barrels toward the island's eastern coastline, marking the second major storm to threaten Taiwan this year. The powerful system is rapidly intensifying and forecasters predict it will reach moderate typhoon strength by Tuesday (Aug. 12) morning, significantly escalating the danger to millions of residents. Officials confirmed a sea warning will be released within hours as the storm's destructive path becomes increasingly clear.
Weather officials plan to issue the sea warning late Sunday (Aug. 11) or early Tuesday (Aug. 12), with a land warning expected around midday Tuesday as the storm approaches populated areas. Authorities are urging residents across the island to monitor emergency broadcasts and weather updates continuously as conditions deteriorate rapidly. The typhoon's trajectory remains consistent, with forecasters predicting torrential rainfall across Taiwan, especially targeting eastern and southern regions where mountainous terrain will amplify the storm's destructive potential.
Central Weather Administration meteorologists classify Typhoon Podul's trajectory as the rare third category of storms that cross central Taiwan while moving west or northwest across the island. This unusual path occurs in only 12.72% of typhoons affecting Taiwan, mirroring the destructive route taken by Typhoon Kong-rey (康芮) last October. Emergency officials are advising residents to complete storm preparations immediately and maintain vigilance as weather conditions rapidly deteriorate throughout the region. ◼
