Typhoon Champi cancels 931 flights across Taiwan
The storm weakened to 155 km/h as it passed the island, causing one death and 94 injuries while forcing over 2,600 evacuations.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
Typhoon Champi has moved across the western Pacific, bringing strong winds and rain to the region this week. On Friday, the system passed close to Taiwan, prompting widespread disruptions to daily life and travel.
The Transport Ministry reported that all 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights out of Taiwan were cancelled. This total of 931 cancelled flights halted air traffic for the day. Despite the storm's size, high-speed rail services on the western coast continued to operate. In Taipei, subway services remained open, and residents experienced only light showers and gusty winds.
The weather service noted that the storm had weakened. Maximum sustained winds dropped to 155 kilometres per hour from a peak of 298 kilometres per hour earlier in the week. The storm’s centre stayed offshore as it moved past the northeastern tip of the island. Forecasts indicate the system will turn north toward Japan’s southwestern islands after passing Taiwan.
The storm caused one death and 94 injuries in Taiwan. The fire department confirmed that one person was swept away by waves in Liuqiu, a small island off the southeastern coast, on Thursday. Government officials stated that more than 2,600 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas. Schools and offices closed for the day as a precautionary measure.
The impact extended to other parts of the Asia Pacific region. In southwestern Japan, the typhoon injured one person and cut power to nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki island. A woman in her 70s broke a leg on Miyako island due to strong winds. Dozens of flights to and from Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa were also cancelled.
In the northern Philippines, the coast guard banned ships and ferries from sailing in rough waters. The main domestic airport in Basco, the capital of Batanes province, closed and cancelled two local flights. Workers boarded up windows at the airport as a safety precaution. In Cagayan province, nearly 200 people moved to safer ground, with almost 100 taking shelter in government-run facilities. Classes were suspended in the island town of Calayan.
Experts expect the storm's greatest impact on Taiwan to last through Saturday. The system is projected to reach Japan's southern mainland on Monday. Earlier this month, Champi passed over several Pacific islands, including Guam, where a federal disaster area was declared.
