Waves crashed into southern Taiwan as Typhoon Podul approached landfall in the region.

Dramatic footage shows rough seas in Sizihwan Bay, with strong winds battering the area in Kaohsiung City on Wednesday, August 13.

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.