TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) lifted its sea typhoon warning Thursday (Aug. 14) at 8:30 a.m. after Typhoon Podul exited the island's storm circle and made landfall in mainland China's Guangdong Province. The typhoon's departure marked the end of immediate threats to Taiwan, though weather officials continued monitoring its westward trajectory toward the Chinese coast.
Podul's center tracked approximately 320 kilometers (199 miles) west of Kinmen (金門) while moving northwest at 31 kph (19 mph). The storm system will gradually weaken into a tropical depression as it continues its westward path across the South China Sea. Weather officials confirmed Taiwan no longer faces any direct threat from the typhoon's circulation.
Podul's outer circulation bands brought significant rainfall to Pingtung County early Thursday (Aug. 14), while brief showers affected Taiwan's eastern regions. Residents in areas south of Hsinchu County should remain alert for scattered afternoon thunderstorms and potential localized heavy rainfall. Weather conditions may deteriorate rapidly in these vulnerable areas despite the typhoon's departure from Taiwan's immediate vicinity.
Multiple Taiwan regions including Keelung City, New Taipei City, Taichung City, Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Yilan County, Penghu County, and Kinmen County may experience sustained winds exceeding level 6 on the Beaufort scale (39-49 kph or 24-31 mph). Gusts over level 8 (62-74 kph or 39-46 mph) remain possible across these areas. ◼
