1 missing, over 100 injured, 8,000 evacuated as Typhoon Podul batters Taiwan

Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Taiwan authorities reported one person missing, 112 injured and 8,024 evacuated in the wake of Typhoon Podul, which swept across the country Wednesday afternoon, according to a 10:01 p.m. update from the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC).

The missing person is a 28-year-old man surnamed Lin (林), who is believed to have been swept out to sea in Chiayi County's Budai Township in southern Taiwan at around 1 p.m. while fishing, according to the CEOC.

After search operations Wednesday were hampered by strong winds and heavy swells generated by the typhoon, rescuers will consider deploying helicopters and dispatching vessels to continue the search Thursday, depending on the weather, the CEOC said.

The number of people injured rose from 33 in a 7:31 p.m. update to 112 in the 10:01 p.m. update.

In terms of power outages, 292,334 households across the country at one point experienced blackouts as of 10:01 p.m., with 249,657 restored and 42,677 still without electricity, according to the CEOC.

As of 10:01 p.m., a total of 8,024 people had been evacuated across eight cities and counties, including Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien and Taitung, most of whom were staying with relatives, the CEOC said.

After the typhoon made landfall in neighboring Taitung County at around 1 p.m., Taiwan's southernmost county of Pingtung saw rainfall intensify through the afternoon, with Dahanshan weather station in Chunri Township recording 446 millimeters between midnight and 6:30 p.m., the highest nationwide.

Heavy rain brought by the typhoon caused flooding in several parts of the county, including the intersection of Zhongzheng Road and County Highway 185 in Fangliao Township, where nearby houses were flooded.

Some roads in Hengchun Township, a popular tourist destination that includes Kenting National Park, were also flooded.

In anticipation of possible disasters, the county government ordered preemptive evacuations in mountainous areas, moving 1,129 residents from townships including Wutai, Sandimen and Taiwu.

As of 6:45 p.m., 647 evacuees were staying with relatives, while 482 were housed in shelters, the county government said.

In Tainan, the southern city where the typhoon exited Taiwan at around 4 p.m., the local government also ordered preemptive evacuations, relocating 619 people from 15 districts.