Typhoon Podul lost strength after making landfall in southeastern China early Thursday. State media reported it downgraded to a severe tropical storm. The storm hit Zhangpu County in Fujian province with maximum sustained winds of 108 kilometres per hour.

Before reaching China, Podul crossed Taiwan on Wednesday, bringing wind gusts up to 178 kilometres per hour, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Taiwan Faces Heavy Impact

The storm caused severe damage in Taiwan. One person went missing after being swept away while fishing, and 112 others were injured. Authorities evacuated more than 8,000 people.

Podul uprooted dozens of trees and flooded streets in central and southern Taiwan. Kaohsiung city streets were covered with fallen branches.

“Kaohsiung, Tainan and Chiayi will become major rainfall hotspots tonight, with increasing rain also expected in Penghu and Kinmen,” CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen said during a briefing with President Lai Ching-te.

Transport Disruptions and Power Cuts

The typhoon disrupted travel and daily life across Taiwan. Authorities cancelled all domestic flights and dozens of international journeys. High-speed rail services on the west coast were reduced, while train services in the southeast stopped completely.

More than 63,000 households lost electricity. Ferry services were suspended, and businesses and schools in southern Taiwan shut down. Over 31,500 soldiers were on standby for rescue and relief work.

The CWA warned that mountain areas in Kaohsiung and Tainan could get 400 to 600 millimetres of rain from Tuesday to Thursday.

China Braces for Heavy Rain

In China, some schools in Guangdong suspended classes. Train and ferry services also stopped temporarily. State broadcaster CCTV reported that other provinces, including Hunan and Jiangxi, would see heavy to torrential rain.

Weeks of Extreme Weather

Podul followed weeks of severe weather in Taiwan. In early July, Typhoon Danas killed two people and injured hundreds. It dropped over 500 millimetres of rain in the south in one weekend.

Later, from July 28 to August 4, torrential rain killed at least five people. Some areas saw more rainfall in one week than Taiwan’s annual average of 2.1 metres.

Climate Change and Disasters in China

Natural disasters often strike China in summer. While some regions face floods, others endure extreme heat. Last week, flash floods and mudslides in northwest China killed 13 people.

In July, heavy rain in Beijing killed 44 people. Rural suburbs were worst affected, and a landslide in nearby Hebei province killed eight.

Scientists warn that climate change is making extreme weather worse. Global warming, driven by fossil fuel use, increases temperatures, which leads to stronger storms. Warmer air holds more moisture, and warmer seas boost evaporation, causing heavier downpours and more destructive cyclones.