Tropical Storm Podul triggers evacuations in southern China

Taipei, Aug 14 (AP) – China is preparing for heavy rainfalls as Tropical Storm Podul hits its southern provinces, prompting mass evacuations. The storm made landfall late Wednesday after weakening from a typhoon in Taiwan, impacting Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces. Around 15,000 residents were evacuated from coastal regions as precautionary measures were implemented.

While preparations are underway, the alert level remains moderate due to the storm’s reduced intensity. Podul touched ground in Fujian soon after midnight on Thursday, still classified as a tropical storm, triggering warnings in Hunan province, known for its flood-prone lakes and rivers.

In Guangdong's Chaozhou city, classes and certain government activities were suspended in response to the storm. Court proceedings paused in Hong Kong following a rainstorm warning. Although the storm is drifting away from the semi-autonomous city, strong winds on its fringes prompt authorities to advise citizens to avoid the shoreline.

Initial assessments from southern China reported no casualties or damages. Meanwhile, in southern Taiwan, recovery efforts are underway after the storm struck east coast counties like Taitung and Hualien. The island experienced one person swept out to sea, about 100 injuries, and 8,000 taking shelter. Power restoration efforts are progressing swiftly after criticisms of delayed responses during past storms. (AP)

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)