Hundreds seek shelter as Typhoon Podul nears Taiwan

NEARLY 2 000 people in Taiwan will be evacuated from their homes on Tuesday as Typhoon Podul approaches the island, with storm-hit central and southern regions likely to be pounded again, authorities said.

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The typhoon was expected to make landfall along the lightly-populated southeast coast today before sweeping across the island ant into the Taiwan Strait, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

Average wind speeds at the centre of the storm could reach up to 133km/h, with gusts of up to 166km/h, the agency said.

Around 31 000 soldiers were ready to assist in typhoon preparations as well as rescue and relief efforts, the defence ministry said.