TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan braces for Typhoon Podul's severe impact as WeatherRisk Explore Inc. (天氣風險) confirms the storm will impact the island starting Tuesday (Aug. 12) and quickly pass through Wednesday (Aug. 13). The powerful typhoon is expected to make landfall between Hualien and Taitung on the eastern coast, threatening residents with severe weather conditions. Southern and southeastern regions face the greatest danger as meteorologists warn of the storm's rapid but destructive passage through the island.
Typhoon Podul's outer circulation will generate sweltering temperatures and partly cloudy conditions across Taiwan Tuesday, with brief afternoon thunderstorms erupting in mountainous regions. WeatherRisk forecasters predict the storm will engulf half of Taiwan within its destructive storm circle when it strikes between Hualien and Taitung Wednesday. The typhoon's most ferocious winds and torrential rainfall will pummel Taiwan's southern and southeastern coastlines with unprecedented intensity.
WeatherRisk has issued dire warnings of extremely heavy rainfall flooding Hualien, Taitung, Kaohsiung (高雄), and Pingtung (屏東) following the typhoon's landfall. Central to northern and northeastern Taiwan must prepare for devastating wind gusts reaching 9-10 on the Beaufort scale (75-102 kmh). The storm will not trigger a southwest airflow pattern, and WeatherRisk forecasts the typhoon will weaken and depart Thursday (Aug. 14), restoring Taiwan's typical summer weather conditions.
Taiwan will experience gradually subsiding winds and rainfall following the typhoon's departure, with weather conditions shifting to partly cloudy skies across most regions. WeatherRisk meteorologists advise continued caution as dangerous winds and heavy rain may linger in coastal areas, particularly affecting Penghu and Kinmen islands during the morning hours. Recovery efforts can begin as normal summer weather patterns resume, though residents should remain vigilant for residual storm effects. ◼
