TAIWAN reported one death and 94 injuries as Typhoon Champi approached its northeastern coast on Friday, prompting the evacuation of nearly 1,300 people and the cancellation of 931 domestic and international flights.
Much of the island was shut down as authorities warned of powerful winds and torrential rain, with almost a metre of rainfall forecast in northern mountainous areas, including around the capital Taipei.
The storm, which was once classified as a super typhoon and among the strongest in the Pacific this year, was still producing gusts of about 191kph near its centre, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
It was about 320km east of Taiwan’s southern tip and was forecast to pass close to the northeastern coast before turning north towards China and eventually moving towards southern Japan. Forecasters said it was weakening and was not expected to make direct landfall on Taiwan.
Authorities issued mobile phone alerts to coastal communities warning of gusts exceeding 150kph and urging residents to seek immediate shelter.
In northeastern Yilan county, where heavy showers and strong winds were intensifying, officials distributed sandbags and placed amphibious vehicles and inflatable rescue boats on standby.
“When necessary, the military will come in to help people, including using amphibious vehicles for evacuations or disaster relief,” said Lee Ming-chen, head of the port town of Suao, which has suffered severe flooding during previous typhoons.
Taiwan’s weather authorities said Champi had a radius of about 320km, large enough to affect most of the island, with its impact potentially lasting nearly two days.
The transport ministry said all 262 domestic flights scheduled for Friday had been cancelled, along with 669 international flights. Taiwan’s financial markets were also closed, while north-south high-speed rail services continued to operate as usual.
In Taipei, public transport, including the metro, remained operational but with reduced services.
Taiwan is generally well prepared for typhoons, helping to limit casualties, although the storms can also strike during autumn despite being more common in summer.
Champi was forecast to pass first over Yonaguni, the westernmost inhabited island in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. - October 23, 2026