Typhoon Podul hit Taiwan's sparsely populated southeast coast on Wednesday packing winds of up to 191 kph (118 mph), as a large swathe of southern and eastern parts of the island shut down and hundreds of flights were cancelled.

Typhoon Podul slammed into southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday, with powerful winds and heavy rain lashing the island. Podul is expected to sweep across the island and into the Taiwan Strait later Wednesday,

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Typhoon Podul landed in Taiwan on Wednesday, prompting widespread closures in the south and east while most northern areas remain open. The Central Weather Administration has expanded land warnings to include all areas south of Changhua, as well as Hualien and Taitung, per CNA.