Typhoon Podul brings no major damage as it crosses Taiwan and heads for China

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Typhoon Podul crossed southern Taiwan, where authorities closed schools and government offices as heavy rain threatened more damage to agriculture in the island's southeast. No major damage was reported. The storm hit Taitung county on the east coast shortly after noon, moving across the south of the island at about 36 kilometers (22 miles) per hour. By 5 p.m., its center was just off Taiwan's west coast, churning out into the Taiwan Strait and China, according to the Central Weather Administration. In China, the coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong recalled fishing boats to port and evacuated around 15,000 people living near the coast to shelters further inland. Taiwanese media reported one person missing on the east coast. Typhoons like Podul typically hit Taiwan's 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. The areas affected were well soutWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times