Taiwan took precautionary measures in response to Typhoon Champi, which brought strong winds and heavy rains as it passed by the island on Friday. The typhoon had initially reached maximum sustained winds of 298 kilometers per hour but weakened to 155 kilometers per hour as it neared Taiwan from the southwest. The storm’s trajectory is expected to keep its center offshore as it moves past the island’s northeastern tip before heading north towards Japan’s southwestern islands.
The Central Weather Administration of Taiwan advised residents in coastal areas to refrain from outdoor activities and driving while staying vigilant against potential hazards like falling objects. Tragically, one individual lost their life after being swept away by waves in Liuqiu, a small island located off Taiwan’s southeastern coast, with 94 others sustaining storm-related injuries. Approximately 1,300 people residing in vulnerable mountainous regions were evacuated as a precaution by the government.
Flight operations were significantly impacted, with all 262 domestic flights within Taiwan and 669 international flights being canceled, according to the Transport Ministry. However, high-speed rail services along the western coast remained operational. In southwestern Japan, the typhoon caused injuries, flight disruptions, and power outages.
Reports from Miyako island detailed a senior woman sustaining a broken leg due to the strong winds, while Ishigaki island experienced power outages affecting nearly 2,000 homes. Multiple flights to and from the southwestern islands, including Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa, were also canceled.
Meanwhile, the Philippine coast guard imposed restrictions on ships and ferries from entering turbulent waters off various northern towns and cities. The primary domestic airport in Basco, Batanes provincial capital, was closed, and two local flights were canceled as a safety precaution. In Cagayan province, almost 200 individuals relocated to safer areas, including nearly 100 seeking refuge in government-run emergency shelters. Educational activities were suspended across all levels in the island town of Calayan off Cagayan due to the typhoon’s impact.
Typhoon Champi had previously affected several Pacific islands, including Guam, where a federal disaster area was declared in response to the storm’s impact.