Typhoon Champi Weakens to 155 km/h, Grounding 931 Flights Across Taiwan

The storm system has shifted its focus to the northern Philippines after sweeping across the Pacific.

Typhoon Champi formed in the western Pacific and passed over several islands, including Guam, earlier this month. Guam declared a federal disaster area following the passage. The system moved toward the Ryukyu Islands in Japan before turning north toward Taiwan.

By Thursday, the storm had reached maximum sustained winds of 298 km/h. It weakened as it approached the southeastern coast of Taiwan. One person died on Thursday after being swept away by waves in Liuqiu, a small island off the southeastern coast. Fire department officials reported the death. Ninety-four others were injured across the island. The government ordered the evacuation of more than 2,600 people from vulnerable mountainous areas.

On Friday, the Transport Ministry cancelled all 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights. High-speed rail services along the western coast continued to operate. Schools and offices closed for the day. The Central Weather Administration urged residents in coastal areas to avoid outdoor activities and driving. The agency warned people to watch for falling objects.

Forecasts indicate the storm's centre will stay offshore as it moves past Taiwan's northeastern tip. The system is expected to reach Japan's southwestern islands on Monday. In Japan, the storm has already injured one person. A woman in her 70s broke a leg in strong winds on Miyako island. Nearly 2,000 homes lost electricity on Ishigaki island. Dozens of flights to and from Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa were cancelled.

In the northern Philippines, the coast guard barred ships and ferries from sailing in rough waters off several northern towns. The main domestic airport in Basco, the capital of Batanes province, closed its doors. Two local flights were cancelled. Aviation officials boarded up windows at the airport as a precaution. In Cagayan province, nearly 200 people moved to safer ground. Almost 100 of those people went to government-run emergency shelters. Provincial officials suspended classes at all levels in the island town of Calayan.