TAIPEI: Taiwan shut schools, offices and financial markets on Friday as Typhoon Champi approached. Nearly 1,000 flights were cancelled while authorities reported one death and 171 injuries.
Officials evacuated 2,639 people from mountain areas. More than 77,000 homes lost power, although Taipower restored electricity to most.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) placed Champi about 220 km east of the island. Gusts near its centre reached around 191 kph.
Forecaster Liu Pei-teng said a direct landfall could not be ruled out. Champi had a wind radius of about 320 km, large enough to cover most of Taiwan.
Taiwan is generally very well prepared for typhoons, which keeps casualties low. Although more common in summer, the storms can strike in autumn too.
Northern mountain areas could receive nearly a metre of rain. Coastal alerts warned residents about gusts above 150 kph. Authorities in Yilan prepared sandbags, rescue boats and amphibious vehicles.
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Strong winds and heavy showers were increasing there on Friday. Transport faced widespread disruption. All 262 domestic flights and 717 international services were cancelled, while the north-south high-speed rail continued operating.
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Taipei’s subway remained open with reduced service. Champi was forecast to pass close to northeastern Taiwan before turning north.
Its projected path then takes it towards the Chinese coast and southern Japan, including Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture.
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Taiwan shut schools, offices and markets as Typhoon Champi approached, with one death, 171 injuries and 979 flight cancellations reported.
It is projected to pass over Japan’s westernmost inhabited island, Yonaguni, in Okinawa Prefecture, before tracking across the East China Sea toward mainland Japan.
