On October 23, 2026, Typhoon Champi, a severe typhoon, swept through Taiwan on Friday, causing at least 1 death and 171 injuries, with 977 flights canceled. Over 160 flights were grounded in southwestern Japan, with reports of power outages and injuries; nearly 200 people were evacuated in northern Philippines, and wind and rain alerts were issued along the eastern coast of China.
This storm, which briefly intensified into a super typhoon this week, has had a wide-ranging impact across East Asia. Champi is currently moving north along the eastern waters of Taiwan, expected to pass the northeastern tip of Taiwan before heading towards the southwestern islands of Japan. Despite the weakening of the typhoon’s intensity, its large wind field continues to bring heavy rain, huge waves, and strong winds, affecting regional aviation, maritime traffic, and people’s daily lives.
According to Taiwan authorities, there has been 1 death and 171 injuries throughout the island. A man in his twenties surnamed Lin from the Penghu County’s Liuqiu Islands was swept away by strong currents while swimming near the Beauty Cave on Thursday. Despite rescue efforts by coast guard and emergency personnel, he was pronounced dead after resuscitation efforts failed.
Currently, 2,639 residents in Taiwan have been evacuated from high-risk areas. All 22 counties and cities in Taiwan, except for Kinmen, have suspended classes and work, and the Taiwan Stock Exchange has halted trading as well.
Taiwan Power Company reported temporary power outages affecting over 77,000 households across the island; however, most users have since had their power restored.
As of 10 a.m., a total of 977 flights have been canceled in Taiwan, including 262 domestic flights and 715 international and cross-strait flights, according to the Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
Furthermore, the Maritime and Port Bureau announced the suspension of 10 routes including those from Keelung to Matsu, totaling 96 voyages. Yet, the high-speed railway connecting major cities in western Taiwan continues to operate normally.
The Central Weather Bureau’s 3:15 p.m. alert on Friday indicated that the center of Champi was located approximately 180 kilometers southeast of Yilan, with sustained wind speeds up to 155 kilometers per hour near the center, and gusts reaching 191 kilometers per hour. The storm’s radius of severe storm-force winds extends up to 320 kilometers.
As of 3 p.m. on Friday, Yilan’s Taipingshan area has received accumulated rainfall of 519 millimeters, Nanhuchinggu in Taichung with 307.5 millimeters, and parts of Taipei with over 250 millimeters.
The weather bureau warned of the possibility of significant rainfall or extremely heavy rainfall in mountainous areas of Yilan, advising the public to be cautious of sudden heavy rainfall, landslides, rockfalls, and debris flows in mountainous regions. Residents in low-lying areas are urged to be wary of flooding and are encouraged to avoid activities in mountainous areas and rivers.
As Champi moves northward, the southwestern islands of Japan, particularly the Okinawa Islands, have also been affected by strong winds and heavy rain.
According to BBC, four Japanese airlines have canceled over 160 flights. All Nippon Airways announced the cancellation of all inbound and outbound flights at Miyako and Ishigaki airports throughout Friday, impacting flights at Naha, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima airports in Okinawa.
Japan Airlines have also canceled some flights to Taipei Songshan Airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
As reported by the Associated Press, a woman in her seventies on Miyako Island suffered a leg fracture in strong winds, while nearly 2,000 households on Ishigaki Island experienced power outages.
Okinawa Electric Power Company reported a tot…