Typhoon Podul Disrupts Taiwan's Transportation Network

Rail and ferry services suspended across the island due to severe weather conditions.

Typhoon Podul has significantly impacted transportation services throughout Taiwan, leading to widespread suspensions of rail and ferry routes. The typhoon's powerful winds and heavy rainfall have affected much of southern Taiwan, prompting these necessary safety measures.

Taiwan Railway Corp. (TRC) announced the suspension of services on the Hualien-Taitung line, which runs along Taiwan's scenic east coast, and the South Link line, connecting Kaohsiung's Xinzuoying to Taitung. These suspensions were in effect for the entire day due to the typhoon's direct impact.

Further adjustments were made to the West Coast Line. Local express trains operating between Chiayi and Fengliao in Pingtung were suspended from 3 p.m. Additionally, the schedules for trains along the main west coast line were modified. Southbound express trains numbered 117 through 145 were limited to operating only as far as Changhua, with service between Changhua and Chaozhou halted.

Several specific train services experienced cancellations or route changes. Train No. 385, scheduled from Taichung to Taitung, was canceled. Train No. 511, traveling from the Greater Taipei area to the Kaohsiung area, was rerouted to terminate in Changhua. Other trains, including No. 137 and No. 177, had their operational routes adjusted or were running as normal, depending on their specific origin and destination.

More adjustments were announced for trains operating on the east coast and connecting to the west coast. Train No. 477, which typically travels from Taitung north along the east coast and then south on the west coast to Yuanlin in Changhua County, was rerouted to operate from Hualien to Yuanlin. Train No. 283 suspended service to its initial three stations, operating instead from Hualien to Douliu.

Northbound express trains numbered 124 through 150 faced suspensions between Chaozhou and Changhua. Train No. 372, scheduled from Taitung to Taichung via Kaohsiung, was canceled. Train No. 554, traveling from Chaozhou to Hualien via Taipei, was rerouted to operate from Changhua to Hualien. Train No. 136, from Chaozhou to Nangang, was scheduled to commence its journey from Taichung.

Services on the Shalun Line were also affected, with trains numbered 3731 to 3734 onward being suspended.

The TRC's announcements were based on the latest weather updates provided by the Central Weather Administration. The agency forecasted showers or thunderstorms for eastern Taiwan and areas south of Chiayi, with the possibility of heavy rain or localized extreme rainfall due to the typhoon and its outer bands. The probability of torrential rain was noted as particularly high in eastern and southeastern regions, as well as in the mountainous areas of the south.

In addition to rail disruptions, the Maritime Port Bureau reported the cancellation of 129 journeys across 14 ferry routes. These affected routes connect various islands and coastal cities, including Keelung-Matsu, Nangan-Langqi (Fujian), Beigan-Huangqi (Fuzhou), Kinmen-Shijing (Quanzhou), Kinmen-Wutong Ferry Terminal (Xiamen), Kaohsiung-Magong, Budai-Magong, Magong-Wangan Township-Qimei Township, Jiangjun (Tainan)-Dongji Island, Dongang-Xiaoliuqiu, Yanpu-Xiaoliuqiu, Fugang-Green Island, Fugang-Lanyu (Orchid Island), and Houbihu-Lanyu.