TAITUNG – Moderate Typhoon Podul made landfall in Taitung at around 1:00 p.m. on the 13th, unleashing powerful gusts exceeding Beaufort scale force 14. The National Center for Housing and Urban Development reported that the intense winds caused part of the scaffolding to collapse during the dismantling of exterior wall works at the Haibin Haoshi social housing project. Fortunately, no injuries occurred.
The National Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau stated that personnel were immediately dispatched to inspect the area around the construction site. The inspection confirmed that all fallen scaffolding remained within the project’s boundaries and did not endanger pedestrians or nearby buildings. Officials added that once weather conditions improve, repair and reinforcement work will begin promptly to ensure safety and maintain the project’s schedule.
The Bureau emphasized that precautionary safety measures had been in place before the storm; however, the sudden and extreme gusts from Podul were difficult to fully counter. Moving forward, authorities will review typhoon prevention procedures for construction projects and enhance both protective measures and on-site monitoring during storm season to safeguard public works.
