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Typhoon Champi Disrupts Taiwan and Pacific Travel

Friday, October 23, 2026
Sources abc.net.au 1africanews.com 1bbc.co.uk 1cbc.ca 1dw.com 1
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bbc.co.uk

A map titled “Expected path of Typhoon Champi” shows a dashed forecast track marked by red dots across the western Pacific, passing near Taiwan and toward Japan, with forecast times labeled from Friday through Sunday. China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the Pacific Ocean are labeled; a note cites GDACS data and says times are in Taipei time.

Summary

Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan after strengthening to super typhoon intensity over unusually warm Pacific waters, bringing powerful winds, torrential rain and dangerous coastal waves. Though forecasts generally expected its centre to remain offshore, authorities warned that a change in course could bring a direct hit and that the storm’s unusually broad wind field or slow movement could prolong its effects. Taiwan closed schools, offices and other institutions, cancelled hundreds of domestic and international flights, evacuated residents from vulnerable mountainous areas and prepared military and emergency rescue resources. Reports recorded one death and dozens to more than 170 injuries, with figures varying by report, alongside power outages and widespread disruption. Public transport and semiconductor operations largely continued, though some services ran at reduced capacity. Champi also affected Japan’s southwestern islands and the Philippines through injuries, outages, flight and ferry suspensions, evacuations and hazardous weather. Reports connected the storm’s exceptional earlier strength to warm Pacific waters and an unusually strong El Niño.

Key Points

  • Taiwan cancelled hundreds of flights and shut schools, offices and other institutions as Champi approached; public transport continued in some areas, often with reduced service.
  • Authorities evacuated residents from mountainous areas and prepared rescue resources amid forecasts of heavy rain, strong gusts and dangerous waves; reported casualties varied, with one death and dozens to 171 injuries.
  • Champi weakened from peak winds near 298 km/h, but its large wind radius and uncertain track kept Taiwan on alert even as forecasts generally placed its centre offshore.
  • The storm disrupted southwestern Japan and the Philippines, causing power outages, injuries, travel suspensions, road closures and precautionary evacuations.
  • Coverage linked Champi’s earlier intensity to unusually warm Pacific waters and a strong El Niño, while noting the wider regional risks of an active typhoon season.

Articles in this Cluster

Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Champi as nearly 1,000 flights cancelled - ABC News

Typhoon Champi approached Taiwan on Friday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain and prompting widespread closures and transport cancellations. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported gusts of about 191 kilometres per hour near the storm’s centre, which was roughly 220 kilometres east of the island. Forecasters expected Champi to pass just off north-eastern Taiwan, then turn north toward the Chinese coast and eventually move toward southern Japan, though they said landfall in Taiwan could not be ruled out if the storm stalled or changed direction. Authorities reported one death and 171 injuries. The government evacuated 2,639 people from mountainous areas, while more than 77,000 homes temporarily lost power, according to Taipower. The transport ministry cancelled all 262 domestic flights scheduled for Friday and 717 international flights. Schools and much of the island’s public life were shut down. Coastal residents received mobile alerts warning of gusts above 150 kilometres per hour and urging them to shelter. CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said Champi’s wind radius was unusually large and that a slower-moving storm could expose Taiwan to strong winds for longer. Forecasters estimated the radius at about 320 kilometres, large enough to cover most of Taiwan. In Yilan County, where winds and heavy showers were intensifying, the storm was expected to pass nearby. Suao town head Lee Ming-chen said the military could assist with evacuations and disaster relief, including with amphibious vehicles. Boat owners in Keelung secured their vessels. Despite the disruption, Taipei’s subway and other public transport continued operating at reduced service, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) reported normal operations with no significant impact. The article notes that Taiwan is generally well prepared for typhoons, a factor that helps keep casualties low.
Entities: Typhoon Champi, Taiwan, Taiwan Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taipower, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform

Taiwan: Deadly Typhoon Champi brings travel chaos and school closures | Africanews

Typhoon Champi brought dangerous conditions and widespread disruption to Taiwan, causing one death and injuring 94 people. In Keelung, large waves crashed against the coast, while emergency workers cleared fallen branches and other debris from streets in the capital. Schools and offices shut, and 931 flights were cancelled: all 262 domestic services and 669 international flights. At Taipei’s Songshan Airport, empty departure counters and passengers resting beneath cancellation screens illustrated the travel disruption. Champi had weakened considerably from peak sustained winds of 298 km/h earlier in the week to 155 km/h as it approached Taiwan, but authorities continued to warn people about the risks. Nearly 1,300 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas. Coastal residents were urged to remain indoors and avoid dangerous roads. Forecasters expected the storm’s centre to stay offshore before it moved north toward Japan’s southwestern islands. Ishigaki had already reported one injury and power outages affecting nearly 2,000 homes. The storm also prompted precautionary measures in the Philippines, where ferry services and flights were suspended in affected areas and residents of Cagayan province were evacuated. The report describes the human consequences, emergency response and regional travel impacts as Champi moved through the area.
Entities: Typhoon Champi, Taiwan, Keelung, Liuqiu island, Taipei Songshan Airport • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform

Typhoon Champi: Hundreds of flights cancelled as storm shuts Taiwan - BBC News

Typhoon Champi brought severe weather to Taiwan and surrounding parts of East Asia, prompting widespread travel disruption and emergency measures. Hundreds of regional flights were cancelled on Friday, including more than 160 flights operated by four Japanese airlines. Taiwan closed schools, offices and its stock exchange as the storm approached its north-east coast. Authorities suspended work and classes in nearly all of the island’s 22 counties and cities, while urging people to avoid coastal and mountainous areas. Kinmen county was the exception, with normal activities continuing there. Although weather agencies in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan expected Champi’s eye to pass without making landfall in Taiwan, officials said a landfall could not be ruled out if the storm stalled or changed direction. Forecasts called for up to 90cm of rain and strong winds in north-east Taiwan through Saturday, with rainfall expected to peak Saturday morning. One person died after being swept away by waves; 171 people were injured and about 1,000 were evacuated. Champi also caused power cuts affecting nearly 8,400 households in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture and brought heavy rain and winds to the Philippines’ Batanes islands, where waves hit seaside villages and roads were closed. No casualties were immediately reported there. Earlier in the week, Champi reached a maximum sustained wind speed of 185mph, making it the strongest storm recorded globally so far this year and the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane. It later weakened. The article links the active typhoon season to an unusually strong El Niño, which heats the Pacific and can contribute to extreme weather. Champi is Japan’s 30th typhoon of the year, the first time since 2013 the country has experienced so many in one year.
Entities: Typhoon Champi, Taiwan, Central Weather Administration, Hong Kong, Okinawa • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform

Hundreds of flights cancelled, schools closed as Typhoon Champi hits Taiwan | CBC News

Typhoon Champi brushed past Taiwan on Friday, prompting authorities to close schools and offices and cancel all 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights. The storm had weakened from peak sustained winds of 298 kilometres per hour earlier in the week to 155 kilometres per hour as it approached from the southwest. Its centre was forecast to remain offshore while passing Taiwan’s northeastern tip, then turn north toward Japan’s southwestern islands. Taiwan’s weather agency advised people in coastal areas to avoid outdoor activities and driving and to watch for falling objects. One person died after being swept away by waves off Taiwan’s southeastern coast, and 94 others were injured. More than 2,600 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas. High-speed rail on Taiwan’s western coast remained in service, as did public transit in Taipei, where conditions were comparatively mild. The typhoon’s strongest effects on Taiwan were expected to continue through Saturday. Champi also affected southwestern Japan, injuring one person, grounding flights and causing power outages; nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki Island lost electricity. In the Philippines, authorities barred ships and ferries from rough waters, closed Basco’s airport, cancelled two local flights and suspended classes in Calayan. Nearly 200 people in Cagayan Province moved to safer locations, including emergency shelters. Earlier in the month, Champi had passed several Pacific islands, including Guam, where a federal disaster area was declared.
Entities: Typhoon Champi, Taiwan, Taiwan Central Weather Administration, Taiwan Transport Ministry, Liuqiu • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform

Taiwan braces ahead of El Nino-supercharged Typhoon Champi

Taiwan is preparing for Typhoon Champi, which is approaching after weakening from super typhoon strength. Nearly all businesses, shops and schools have closed, more than 1,300 people have evacuated to higher ground, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled. At least one person has died after being swept out to sea by powerful waves, and dozens of others have been injured. Authorities and residents are taking precautions against flooding and storm damage. People have placed sandbags and metal barriers around buildings, while officials have positioned inflatable boats and amphibious vehicles for rescue operations. Military personnel are also on standby. Public transport in Taipei continues to operate, but at reduced capacity. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration says Champi is about 220 kilometers east of the island’s southern shore. The storm is forecast to pass near the northeastern coast before turning toward China and then southern Japan. However, forecasters warn that a change in its path could bring a direct hit. Champi is expected to bring torrential rain, high winds and massive waves through Friday and Saturday. Its broad radius—about 320 kilometers—could affect most of Taiwan, and a slower-moving storm could prolong the danger. Champi reached super typhoon status as it strengthened over exceptionally warm Pacific waters, with winds reaching 298 km/h. Although it has weakened, gusts are still around 190 km/h. The article links the storm’s strength to an unusually intense El Niño, which raises tropical Pacific water temperatures and can intensify storms. The United Nations has described this year’s El Niño as “heading off the charts” and expects it to peak in December, while warning that its effects may persist for years and urging Pacific nations to prepare.
Entities: Typhoon Champi, Taiwan, Taipei, China, Southern Japan • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform