Massive waves battered Taiwan’s southeastern coast on Wednesday as Typhoon Podul made landfall, bringing destructive winds and torrential rain to the island. In Taitung City, walls of water crashed into a fishing port, prompting residents to secure boats and shutter businesses.

Authorities ordered the closure of schools and offices across southern Taiwan, while emergency crews scrambled to restore power to tens of thousands of households left in the dark. The storm’s impact has been felt across multiple counties, with reports of toppled trees, damaged infrastructure, and flooding in low-lying areas.

Forecasters warn that dangerous sea conditions will continue through the night, and residents have been urged to remain indoors until the storm passes. Typhoon Podul is expected to move northwest, potentially affecting parts of China’s southeastern coast in the coming days.