Latest news with #CentralMeteorologicalAgency
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Arab Times
Typhoon Podul makes landfall in Taiwan
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Aug 13, (AP): Typhoon Podul made landfall in Taiwan on Wednesday, where authorities closed schools and government offices as heavy rain threatened more damage to agriculture in the island's southeast. The storm hit Taitung county on the east coast shortly after noon, moving across the southern third of the island at about 36 kilometers (22 miles) per hour, at which rate it would head out to the Taiwan Strait and China by late afternoon, according to the Central Meteorological Agency. It was unclear how serious the storm would be, with high waves and winds seen across much of the southeast but no major rain as of yet. according to the agency. Such storms typically hit the east coast hard before losing speed and strength as they pass over the Central Mountain Range before continuing toward the Chinese coast. Podul measured 120 kilometers (75 miles) across and was expected to broaden even while losing strength as the storm moved westward across the Taiwan Strait. The areas affected are well south of the capital, Taipei, along with Taiwan's main international airport and high-tech industrial base. Around a dozen flights that would have traveled south toward the path of the storm were delayed or canceled. The counties and cities of Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Yunlin, Pingtung and Hualien on the east coast and the island group of Penghu in the Taiwan Strait were taking the brunt of the storm. Along with flooding, typhoons routinely damage fruit and other cash crops and bring landslides through the island's center. Much of central and southern Taiwan was badly hit by heavy rains in recent weeks that caused severe damage to crops but minimal casualties, while also knocking out electricity to rural areas that took weeks to repair. Recovery crews are on alert.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flight cancellations and evacuations as Typhoon Podul makes landfall in Taiwan
Typhoon Podul made landfall in Taiwan on Wednesday, where authorities closed schools and government offices as heavy rain threatened more damage to agriculture in the island's southeast. The storm hit Taitung county on the east coast shortly after noon, moving across the southern third of the island at about 36kmph (22mph), at which rate it would head out to the Taiwan Strait and China by late afternoon, according to the Central Meteorological Agency. Meanwhile, Hong Kong issued a Signal No 1 alert, the lowest on the scale, as the storm is expected to pass through a close range but without a direct hit. Authorities have shut schools and government offices in nine cities and counties, including Kaohsiung and Tainan, and cancelled 252 domestic and 129 international flights, mostly at Kaohsiung and Taoyuan airports. The areas affected are well south of the capital, Taipei, along with Taiwan's main international airport and high-tech industrial base. More than 5,500 people have been moved from vulnerable areas, the government said, some still recovering from storms earlier in the summer. Rainfall of up to 600mm is forecast in mountainous regions over the coming days, raising fears of flooding and landslides. Chu Chung-jui of the National Science and Technology Centre for Disaster Reduction urged residents in valley areas to leave, saying: 'we must especially urge people living downstream to follow government instructions and evacuate'. Podul's outer bands were already bringing high waves and strong winds to the east coast by Wednesday morning. Heat from the storm's outer subsiding air pushed temperatures to around 35C in Hong Kong, with forecasts warning of rain, squally thunderstorms, and the possible upgrade to Signal No 3 if conditions deteriorate. Hong Kong airports cancelled 15 flights to and from Taiwan amid growing storm concern. The storm is expected to cross the island's mountainous spine, weakening before moving into the Taiwan Strait and towards China's Fujian province. The counties and cities of Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Yunlin, Pingtung and Hualien on the east coast and the island group of Penghu in the Taiwan Strait are expected to take the brunt of the storm. Typhoons typically hit Taiwan's less-populated east coast hardest before losing force over the Central Mountain Range, but forecasters warn Podul's size – with a radius of 120km – means it could still cause significant damage as it moves westward. The storm arrives after weeks of heavy rain in central and southern Taiwan that damaged crops and disrupted power supplies to rural areas. Typhoons often cause further harm to agriculture, with fruit farms and cash crops vulnerable to flooding and high winds. Officials say recovery crews are on alert to restore electricity and clear roads quickly if Podul causes fresh disruption.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Flight cancellations and evacuations as Typhoon Podul makes landfall in Taiwan
Typhoon Podul made landfall in Taiwan on Wednesday, where authorities closed schools and government offices as heavy rain threatened more damage to agriculture in the island's southeast. The storm hit Taitung county on the east coast shortly after noon, moving across the southern third of the island at about 36kmph (22mph), at which rate it would head out to the Taiwan Strait and China by late afternoon, according to the Central Meteorological Agency. Meanwhile, Hong Kong issued a Signal No 1 alert, the lowest on the scale, as the storm is expected to pass through a close range but without a direct hit. Authorities have shut schools and government offices in nine cities and counties, including Kaohsiung and Tainan, and cancelled 252 domestic and 129 international flights, mostly at Kaohsiung and Taoyuan airports. The areas affected are well south of the capital, Taipei, along with Taiwan's main international airport and high-tech industrial base. More than 5,500 people have been moved from vulnerable areas, the government said, some still recovering from storms earlier in the summer. Rainfall of up to 600mm is forecast in mountainous regions over the coming days, raising fears of flooding and landslides. Chu Chung-jui of the National Science and Technology Centre for Disaster Reduction urged residents in valley areas to leave, saying: 'we must especially urge people living downstream to follow government instructions and evacuate'. Podul's outer bands were already bringing high waves and strong winds to the east coast by Wednesday morning. Heat from the storm's outer subsiding air pushed temperatures to around 35C in Hong Kong, with forecasts warning of rain, squally thunderstorms, and the possible upgrade to Signal No 3 if conditions deteriorate. Hong Kong airports cancelled 15 flights to and from Taiwan amid growing storm concern. The storm is expected to cross the island's mountainous spine, weakening before moving into the Taiwan Strait and towards China 's Fujian province. The counties and cities of Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Yunlin, Pingtung and Hualien on the east coast and the island group of Penghu in the Taiwan Strait are expected to take the brunt of the storm. Typhoons typically hit Taiwan's less-populated east coast hardest before losing force over the Central Mountain Range, but forecasters warn Podul's size – with a radius of 120km – means it could still cause significant damage as it moves westward. The storm arrives after weeks of heavy rain in central and southern Taiwan that damaged crops and disrupted power supplies to rural areas. Typhoons often cause further harm to agriculture, with fruit farms and cash crops vulnerable to flooding and high winds.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- Toronto Star
Typhoon Podul makes landfall in Taiwan
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Typhoon Podul made landfall in Taiwan on Wednesday, where authorities closed schools and government offices as heavy rain threatened more damage to agriculture in the island's southeast. The storm hit Taitung county on the east coast shortly after noon, moving across the southern third of the island at about 36 kilometers (22 miles) per hour, at which rate it would head out to the Taiwan Strait and China by late afternoon, according to the Central Meteorological Agency.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Typhoon Podul closes Taiwan schools, offices as heavy rains expected
Typhoon Podul prompted schools and government offices to close in Taiwan on Wednesday, with authorities on the lookout for heavy rains that could bring more damage to agriculture in the region. It was unclear how serious the storm would be, with high waves and winds over much of the east coast but no major rain as of yet. On Wednesday morning, Podul was southeast of the island, moving at 155 kilometres per hour, and was expected to make landfall later in the day before moving swiftly across the island's southern tip, according to the Central Meteorological Agency. Such storms typically hit the east coast hard before losing strength as they pass over the Central Mountain Range before continuing toward the Chinese coast. Podul's skirt measured 120 kilometres across and was expected to broaden even while losing strength as the storm moved westward across the Taiwan Strait. The areas affected are well south of the capital, Taipei, along with Taiwan's main international airport and high-tech industrial base. Around a dozen flights that would have travelled south toward the path of the storm were delayed or cancelled. The counties and cities of Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Yunlin, Pingtung and Hualien on the east coast and the island group of Penghu in the Taiwan Strait are expected to take the brunt of the storm. Along with flooding, typhoons routinely damage fruit and other cash crops and bring landslides through the island's centre. Much of central and southern Taiwan was badly hit by heavy rains in recent weeks that caused severe damage to crops but minimal casualties, while also knocking out electricity to rural areas that took weeks to repair.
