Tropical Storm Podul strengthens into typhoon

Taipei, Aug. 11 (CNA) Tropical Storm Podul strengthened into a typhoon at 8 p.m. Monday, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

As of 8 p.m. Monday, the typhoon was 1,020 kilometers east of Cape Eluanbi, the southernmost point of Taiwan, moving west at 23 km per hour.

The storm carried maximum sustained winds of 119 kph and gusts reaching 155 kph, according to the CWA.

Based on the typhoon's current trajectory, a sea warning is expected to be issued late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, the CWA said.

A land warning could be issued anytime from Tuesday at noon to Tuesday afternoon, indicating that parts of Taiwan are expected to be hit by the storm radius with 56 kilometer per hour winds within 18 hours.

Podul is expected to make landfall around Taitung and Hualien counties at about midday Wednesday, the CWA added.