Taiwan largely shut down on Friday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Champi, which is forecast to bring powerful winds and torrential rain. Although the storm has weakened from its earlier super typhoon status, forecasters warned that direct landfall on the island could not be ruled out.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), Champi was producing wind gusts of around 191 kilometres per hour (119 miles per hour) near its centre.
The storm was located approximately 320 kilometres (198 miles) east of Taiwan’s southern tip. Its projected path showed it passing close to northeastern Taiwan before turning north towards China’s coast and eventually moving towards southern Japan.
Taiwan’s government reported that one person had been killed and 94 injured, while nearly 1,300 people had been evacuated from mountainous areas.
Forecasters Warn of Possible Landfall
CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng told Reuters that the possibility of landfall remained if the storm stalled or changed direction as it approached the island.
“The storm’s wind radius is quite large, among the bigger ones in recent years,” Liu said, warning that slower movement could expose Taiwan to strong winds for a longer period.
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Authorities sent mobile phone alerts to coastal communities, warning residents of wind gusts exceeding 150 kilometres per hour (93 miles per hour) and urging them to seek immediate shelter.
Forecasters also warned that northern mountainous areas, including locations around Taipei, could receive nearly one metre of rainfall, raising concerns about flooding and landslides.
Emergency Preparations Intensify in Yilan
In northeastern Yilan County, where strong winds and heavy showers were intensifying, authorities distributed sandbags and placed amphibious vehicles and inflatable rescue boats on standby.
The typhoon was forecast to pass close to the area later on Friday.
Lee Ming-chen, head of the port town of Suao, said the military would assist residents if necessary, including through evacuations and disaster relief operations using amphibious vehicles.
Suao has experienced severe flooding during previous typhoons, prompting officials to prepare for potential emergencies.
Large Storm System Threatens Widespread Disruption
Taiwanese forecasters estimated that Champi’s wind radius extended approximately 320 kilometres (200 miles), large enough to affect much of the island. Weather experts warned that the storm’s impact could continue for nearly two days.
Financial markets were closed on Friday, while schools and offices on the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen Islands, located near the Chinese coast, were scheduled to operate normally.
The transport ministry cancelled all 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights scheduled for Friday. However, north-south high-speed rail services continued to operate as usual.
In Taipei, residents experienced squally showers, while public transport, including the subway, remained operational with reduced services.
Japan Also Braces for the Typhoon
Taiwan is generally well prepared for typhoons, with emergency measures helping to limit casualties. Although these storms are more common during summer, they can also strike in autumn.
After passing near Taiwan, Champi was forecast to approach Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture, highlighting the wider regional threat posed by the storm.
Authorities across affected areas continued monitoring the typhoon’s movement and preparing for possible flooding, strong winds and further disruption.
