TAITUNG (8/13/2025)– Typhoon Podul swept into Taiwan with Taitung bearing the brunt of its first strike, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds. Lanyu recorded maximum instantaneous gusts of force 17, while Taitung City saw sustained winds averaging force 11.
The severe gusts tore metal sheets from a gas station on Gengsheng Road, overturned a small truck, and left city streets littered with fallen branches and tree debris. In one incident, a residential rooftop water tank was blown onto the road, creating a temporary traffic obstruction.
“The winds are as fierce as Typhoon Nepartak—it’s terrifying,” said a local resident surnamed Zhou. He described his home’s doors and windows shaking violently, with objects clattering outside. “If I stepped out, I’d be afraid of being hit by flying debris.”
Another resident, surnamed Chen, echoed the sentiment, saying the winds felt “a bit exaggerated” and comparable to a severe typhoon, estimating gusts above force 11.
Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and stay away from unstable structures as clean-up efforts continue once conditions improve.
