This is the dramatic moment heavy rain and fierce winds battered streets as Typhoon Podul approached Taiwan.

Footage shows torrential rain and violent gusts lashing a road in Green Island, Taitung, on Wednesday morning, August 13. Several motorcycles were seen toppled by the intense wind.

Authorities reported that more than 5,500 residents were relocated from high-risk areas in advance of the typhoon's arrival.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications reported that all 252 domestic flights were grounded on Wednesday, along with 129 international flights that were also cancelled.

Nine cities and counties, among them the southern centres of Kaohsiung and Tainan, suspended work and school activities for the day. The capital Taipei was not affected.

Typhoon Podul, carrying wind gusts of up to 191 kph (118 mph), was tracking toward the southeastern city of Taitung. It was strengthening and expected to make landfall nearby by Wednesday afternoon.