Typhoon Podul batters Southern Taiwan
Typhoon Podul slammed Taiwan, causing thousands of homes to lose power, grounding planes, and closing businesses in the south.
Before the typhoon struck Taitung County, authorities reported wind gusts reaching up to 178 km/h, injuring 112 people and leaving one missing.
Podul caused flooding and the downing of numerous trees, leaving Kaohsiung’s streets covered in fallen limbs.
Now that Podul has crossed the Taiwan Strait, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Chiayi are important areas for rainfall.
Airlines canceled all domestic flights across the island, and power outages still affected more than 63,000 households.
The southeast saw the cancellation of train services, while the west coast saw a reduction in high-speed rail service.
Authorities closed businesses and schools around the south and suspended ferry services. The number of soldiers prepared to help with relief and rescue operations exceeds 31,500.
