Typhoon Champi continued to pose a serious threat to Taiwan on Friday, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall despite moving away from its peak intensity as a super typhoon.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), the storm was generating wind gusts of around 191 kilometres per hour near its centre and was located approximately 220 kilometres east of the island. Forecasts indicated that Champi would pass near northeastern Taiwan before heading north towards the Chinese coast and eventually moving towards southern Japan.
The storm has left at least one person dead and 171 others injured in Taiwan. Authorities said 2,639 people had been evacuated from mountainous areas as a precaution against flooding and landslides.
Power outages affected more than 77,000 households, according to Taiwan Power Company, although electricity had already been restored to most affected homes.
Weather officials warned that a direct landfall could not be ruled out if the typhoon slowed down or changed direction while approaching the island. Forecasters also noted that the storm’s unusually large wind radius could prolong hazardous conditions across Taiwan.
Coastal communities received mobile phone alerts warning of wind gusts exceeding 150 kilometres per hour and urging residents to seek shelter. Heavy rainfall was also forecast for northern mountainous areas, including regions around the capital, Taipei.
In northeastern Yilan County, authorities distributed sandbags and placed amphibious vehicles and inflatable rescue boats on standby as strong winds and heavy showers intensified. Officials said the military was prepared to assist with evacuations and emergency relief if required.
In the port town of Suao, local authorities highlighted the risk of flooding, recalling damage caused by previous typhoons. Meanwhile, boat owners in the northern port city of Keelung worked to secure their vessels ahead of worsening weather conditions.
Taiwanese forecasters estimated that Champi’s radius extended approximately 320 kilometres, potentially affecting much of the island. Weather experts warned that its impact could continue for nearly two days.
The approaching typhoon prompted widespread disruption to transportation and economic activities. Taiwan’s financial markets closed on Friday, while authorities cancelled all 262 scheduled domestic flights and 717 international flights.
High-speed rail services continued operating normally, while public transportation in Taipei, including the subway, remained operational with reduced services.
Schools and offices were also closed across most of Taiwan, with the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands near the Chinese coast exempted from the shutdown.
Although Taiwan has extensive disaster preparedness measures that help limit casualties during typhoons, the storms remain a recurring threat. While they are more common during summer, they can also affect the island in autumn.
Champi was forecast to pass near Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture, as it continued along its projected path towards the region.
