Taiwan has issued a warning to prepare for Typhoon Champi, which still has strong gusts near its center exceeding 227 kilometers per hour. Authorities have canceled over 125 flights and warned of waves higher than 6 meters and the risk of flash floods.
On Thursday, 22 October, Taiwan issued a land warning to prepare for Typhoon Champi, which is expected to pass offshore near the island’s northeast coast before gradually weakening and moving toward the Chinese coast and southern Japan.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau stated that although the storm has slightly weakened from super typhoon status, it still has gusts over 227 kilometers per hour near the center. The storm’s center is about 250 kilometers northeast of Yilan city in Taiwan, according to the original report.
The typhoon’s radius has expanded to about 320 kilometers, covering most of Taiwan, and may impact the island for nearly two days. It is expected to approach closest to the northeast coast late Friday night before moving northward toward waters near Shanghai.
Authorities have sent alerts to coastal residents to beware of waves over 6 meters high, while mountainous northern areas and hills near Taipei may see nearly 1,000 millimeters of accumulated rainfall, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation reported canceling 125 flights on Thursday, mostly domestic. Meanwhile, the rail system remained operational at the time of reporting, and the Ministry of the Interior has not reported any evacuations.
Meanwhile, Japan has also been affected by this typhoon. Airlines including Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Skymark have canceled more than 100 flights from Thursday to Sunday, mostly domestic, impacting over 11,000 passengers.
Typhoon Champi is expected to pass near Yonaguni Island, the westernmost inhabited island of Japan in Okinawa Prefecture, before continuing along the forecasted path.
Although Taiwan has a rigorous typhoon preparedness system, authorities continue to advise the public to closely monitor warnings, as the storm may bring strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves across many areas.
Source:channelnewsasia
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