Typhoon Podul nears, heavy rain ahead

Shenzhen is bracing for heavy rain as Typhoon Podul — this year’s 11th typhoon — approaches the region, the city’s weather forecast said today. The typhoon is expected to ease the recent heat but will bring several days of wind and downpours beginning later this week.

The National Meteorological Center issued a yellow typhoon warning at 6 a.m. yesterday. At 11 a.m. yesterday, Podul’s center was located over the northwest Pacific, about 670 km east‑southeast of Taitung City, Taiwan. The system is forecast to move westward at roughly 25 km/h and gradually strengthen.

Projected 48-hour path of Typhoon Podul from 8 a.m. today to 8 a.m. Aug. 15. Image from National Meteorological Center

Podul is expected to make landfall on Taiwan’s southeast coast around noon tomorrow, cross the island into the Taiwan Strait, and then weaken. It is likely to make a second landfall along the coast between southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong between Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday. Forecasters say there remains a possibility that the storm could pass south of Taiwan and strike near the Fujian–Guangdong border.

Under Podul’s influence, eastern and northern parts of Guangdong Province — including the eastern Pearl River Delta — are forecast to see heavy rain from Wednesday night into Friday. Shenzhen’s forecast office specifically warned of heavier showers Thursday and Friday.

Seven-day Shenzhen weather forecast, from tomorrow through Aug. 19. Shenzhen Meteological Bureau

The approaching typhoon may also bring relief from the recent heat wave. Shenzhen has been under a yellow high‑temperature alert for four consecutive days since Friday — the city’s sixth such alert this year. During the peak of the heat, Shuibei Meteorological Recording Station in Cuizhu Subdistrict, Luohu District, recorded a maximum temperature of 36.1°C yesterday. Across the city, 153 stations reported highs above 33°C, and 15 stations exceeded 35°C.

Residents and businesses are advised to follow local authorities’ safety instructions and prepare for sudden heavy rain and strong winds.