X005-TAIWAN INUNDACIONES

STORY: Strong waves and rains were seen in Taiwan as large swathes of the island's southern and eastern provinces were shut down on Wednesday (August 13) ahead of Typhoon Podul's arrival later in the day.

The government said more than 5,500 people had been evacuated.

The mid-strength Typhoon Podul, packing wind gusts as strong as 191 kph (118 mph), was heading for the southeastern city of Taitung as it intensifies and was expected to make landfall nearby on Wednesday afternoon, weather officials said.

Nine cities and counties announced the suspension of work and school for Wednesday, including the southern metropolises of Kaohsiung and Tainan. In the capital Taipei, home to Taiwan's financial markets, there was no impact.

After making landfall, the storm is expected to hit Taiwan's much more densely populated western coast before heading for China's southern province of Fujian later this week.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: WAVES CRASHING OVER SEA WALL / STREET IN SOUTHERN TAIWAN / WAVES AT BEACH / MILITARY EVACUATING RESIDENTS IN LIKELY AFFECTED AREA / RESIDENTS AT TEMPORARY SHELTER

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: TAITUNG COUNTY, TAIWAN (AUGUST 13, 2025) (SET TV - No use Taiwan / Must on-screen courtesy "SET TV")

1. WAVES CRASHING OVER SEA WALL AT FISHING PORT

2. DOCKED FISHING BOATS ROCKING ON WATER

PINGTUNG COUNTY, TAIWAN (AUGUST 13, 2025) (SET TV - No use Taiwan / Must on-screen courtesy "SET TV")

3. RAIN FALLING ON STREET

4. RESCUE PERSONNEL OVERLOOKING BEACH

5. VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC ON RAIN-BATTERED STREET

6. VARIOUS OF WAVES CRASHING ON SHORE

HUALIEN COUNTY, TAIWAN (AUGUST 13, 2025) (SET TV - No use Taiwan / Must on-screen courtesy "SET TV")

7. VARIOUS OF SANDBAGS IN FRONT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

8. WOMAN STANDING IN FRONT OF HOUSE