TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Typhoon Podul crossed southern Taiwan, where authorities closed schools and government offices as heavy rain threatened more damage to agriculture in the island's southeast. No major damage was reported.

The storm hit Taitung county on the east coast shortly after noon, moving across the south of the island at about 36 kilometers (22 miles) per hour. By 5:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) its center was just off Taiwan's west coast, churning out into the Taiwan Strait and China, according to the Central Weather Administration.

In China, the coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong recalled fishing boats to port and evacuated around 15,000 people living near the coast to shelters further inland.

Taiwanese media reported one person missing on the east coast.

Typhoons like Podul t

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