Island Stranded: Typhoon Champi Grounds 931 Flights, Evacuates 2,600

Typhoon Champi moved past Taiwan on Friday, grounding 931 flights and forcing the closure of schools and offices across the island. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, with maximum sustained speeds dropping to 155 kilometres per hour as it approached from the southeast. It had peaked at 298 kilometres per hour earlier in the week.

The system’s path kept its centre offshore as it passed the northeastern tip of the island before turning north toward Japan. The storm’s wide radius, approximately 320 kilometres, covered most of the country. Despite the scale, high-speed rail services along the western coast continued to operate, and the Taipei subway remained open. The capital experienced only light showers and gusty winds.

Transport authorities cancelled all 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights. The Central Weather Administration advised residents in coastal zones to avoid driving and outdoor activities to prevent injuries from falling objects. More than 2,600 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous regions. One person died on Thursday in Liuqiu, a small island off the southeastern coast, after being swept away by waves. Ninety-four others sustained injuries.

The storm also impacted the northern Philippines. Coast guard officials 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 and cancelled two local flights. Workers boarded up windows at the facility as a precaution. In Cagayan province, nearly 200 residents moved to safer locations, including almost 100 who entered government-run emergency shelters. Classes in the island town of Calayan were suspended.

In southwestern Japan, the typhoon injured one person and disrupted air travel. A woman in her 70s broke a leg in strong winds on Miyako island. Nearly 2,000 homes lost power on Ishigaki island. Dozens of flights to and from Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa were cancelled. Experts expect the storm’s greatest impact on Taiwan to last through Saturday. The system is forecast to reach Japan’s southern mainland on Monday.

Earlier in October, Champi passed over several Pacific islands, including Guam. A federal disaster area was declared in Guam following the storm’s passage.