On the morning of August 13, Typhoon Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year, strengthened into a severe tropical storm, prompting National Meteorological Center (NMC) to issue three consecutive alerts. 

Podul made its first landfall at around 13:00 near Taimali, Taitung County, Taiwan, with maximum sustained winds of 42 meters per second (Force 14) and a minimum central pressure of 955 hPa. It is expected to make a second landfall between Xiamen, Fujian and Shantou, Guangdong, late on August 13 or early on August 14, with winds reaching Force 10-12. 

In Dongguan, weather forecasters expect cloudy skies with thunderstorms on the afternoon of August 13, followed by heavy to torrential rain from the night of August 13 through August 15. Localized areas could see extreme rainfall up to 150 mm and short bursts of winds reaching Force 8. The heaviest rain is forecast for the morning and daytime of August 14. 

To ensure safety, over 20 train services through Dongguandong Railway Station have been suspended on August 13 and 14, including routes connecting Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Xi’an, and other major cities. Stations are opening extra counters for ticket changes and refunds, while railway authorities continue to monitor Podul’s path and adjust train operations as needed. Passengers are advised to check updates before traveling.