Typhoon Podul struck Taiwan on Wednesday, prompting the closure of schools and government offices due to concerns about heavy rainfall and potential agricultural damage in the island's southeast.

The typhoon made landfall in Taitung County, located on Taiwan’s eastern coast, shortly after midday. It moved across the island’s southern region at a speed of around 36 kilometers (22 miles) per hour and was expected to enter the Taiwan Strait and head toward China by late afternoon, according to the Central Weather Administration.

While strong winds and high waves were reported in the southeast, the storm had not yet brought significant rainfall. These types of storms usually impact the east coast first, then weaken as they cross Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range before heading toward mainland China.

Podul, which spanned 120 kilometers (75 miles), was projected to expand in size but lose intensity as it continued westward.

The storm’s impact was concentrated in southern regions, far from the capital Taipei, its international airport, and major tech hubs. Several flights heading south toward the storm’s path were delayed or canceled.

Heavily affected areas included the counties and cities of Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Yunlin, Pingtung, Hualien, and the offshore Penghu Islands.

In addition to flooding, typhoons frequently damage crops and trigger landslides, particularly in Taiwan’s mountainous center. Recent weeks of heavy rain had already inflicted significant agricultural losses and caused power outages in rural areas, some of which took weeks to restore.

Emergency and recovery teams remain on high alert.