Taipei: Taiwan authorities reported that Typhoon Podul has left one person missing, 112 injured, and forced the evacuation of 8,024 individuals across the country. The Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) provided these figures in a 10:01 p.m. update following the typhoon’s impact on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Focus Taiwan, the missing person is a 28-year-old man surnamed Lin, who was reportedly swept out to sea in Chiayi County’s Budai Township while fishing. Rescue efforts were initially hindered by strong winds and heavy sea swells, but the CEOC indicated that they are considering deploying helicopters and vessels to continue the search, weather permitting.

The number of injured rose significantly throughout the day, with the CEOC updating the figure from 33 at 7:31 p.m. to 112 by 10:01 p.m. Power outages affected 292,334 households at one point, though power was restored to 249,657, leaving 42,677 without electricity.

Evacuations took place in eight cities and counties, including Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien, and Taitung. Most evacuees are currently staying with relatives. The typhoon first made landfall in Taitung County, with Pingtung County experiencing heavy rainfall, resulting in severe flooding in areas such as Fangliao Township.

In anticipation of further disasters, preemptive evacuations were ordered in mountainous areas of Pingtung County, with 1,129 residents relocated from townships like Wutai, Sandimen, and Taiwu. In Tainan, where the typhoon exited at around 4 p.m., the local government also conducted evacuations, moving 619 residents from 15 districts.