Typhoon Champi Cuts 931 Flights Across Taiwan
The storm weakened to 155 km/h but forced the evacuation of 2,600 people and the closure of schools and offices on Friday.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
Typhoon Champi weakened to 155 kilometres per hour as it passed near Taiwan, yet the island still cancelled 931 flights on Friday. The Transport Ministry halted all 262 domestic and 669 international flights. High-speed rail services along the western coast continued to operate without interruption.
The storm reached peak sustained winds of 298 kilometres per hour earlier in the week. By Friday, its center remained offshore as it moved past the northeastern tip of the island. Forecasts indicated the system would turn north toward Japan's southwestern islands.
One person died on Thursday in Liuqiu, a small island off the southeastern coast. The fire department reported the individual was swept away by waves. Ninety-four others sustained injuries from the storm. Authorities evacuated more than 2,600 residents from vulnerable mountainous regions.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration advised coastal residents to avoid outdoor activities and driving. The agency warned the public to watch for falling objects. Schools and government offices closed for the day. The storm system had a radius of approximately 320 kilometres, covering most of the island.
In the capital of Taipei, the subway remained open and residents experienced only light showers and gusty winds. Experts projected the storm's impact would last through Saturday. The system is expected to reach Japan's southern mainland on Monday.
In southwestern Japan, the typhoon injured one person and disrupted local transport. A woman in her 70s broke a leg on Miyako island. Nearly 2,000 homes lost power on Ishigaki island. Dozens of flights to and from Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa were cancelled.
The storm also impacted the northern Philippines. The coast guard barred ships from sailing in rough waters near northern towns. The main airport in Basco, the capital of Batanes province, closed and cancelled two local flights. Officials boarded up airport windows as a precaution. In Cagayan province, nearly 200 people moved to safer ground, with almost 100 entering government shelters. Classes suspended in the island town of Calayan.
