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.

The mid-strength Typhoon Podul, packing gusts of as much as 155 kph (96 mph), was heading for the southeastern city of Taitung as it intensifies and was expected to make landfall nearby on Wednesday, weather officials said.

Nearly 2,000 people in Taiwan will be evacuated from their homes today as Typhoon Podul approaches the island, with storm-hit central and southern regions