TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Podul (楊柳颱風) unleashed devastating winds and torrential rain across Taiwan Wednesday (Aug. 13) as its powerful storm circle made landfall, triggering urgent safety warnings throughout the island. Green Island (綠島) a small island off Taiwan's southeastern coast endured heavy downpours and fierce gusts during the early hours, marking the typhoon's destructive initial impact. The storm's arrival prompted immediate concerns for coastal communities as meteorologists tracked its westward progression across the island.
Officials urgently warned residents in Taitung, Hualien, and Pingtung counties to exercise extreme caution as these eastern and southern regions lay directly in the typhoon's destructive path. Dramatic scenes unfolded on Green Island where massive waves surged violently over protective guardrails in Gongguan (公館), completely drenching nearby grasslands and demonstrating the storm's overwhelming power. The coastal inundation served as a stark reminder of the typhoon's dangerous potential as it continued its relentless advance across Taiwan.
Hualien Port experienced intermittent rainfall and dramatically enlarged waves, with some massive swells breaching the protective breakwaters designed to shield the harbor. The storm's intensity gradually increased throughout the day, unleashing relentless wind and rain across Taiwan's eastern coastline. Towering waves continued battering the shores with increasing height and ferocity, significantly heightening concerns for coastal safety as emergency responders monitored the deteriorating conditions. ◼
