Typhoon Champi is moving closer to Taiwan's northeast coast, causing closures of schools and offices, cancellation of hundreds of flights, 1 death, 171 injuries, and the evacuation of about 1,000 people from affected areas.
On 23 October 2026, the China Meteorological Administration reported that Typhoon "Champi" is approaching Taiwan's northeast coast, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights across East Asia. Taiwanese authorities suspended schooling and work in most areas to cope with heavy rain and strong gusts.
Officials reported 1 fatality after a person was swept away by waves. Additionally, 171 people were injured and about 1,000 residents were evacuated from high-risk zones. The storm's impact forced Taiwan to suspend schooling and work in nearly all areas of its 22 cities and counties, including closure of the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Friday, while activities on Kinmen Island to the west of the main island continued as usual.
Typhoon Champi's peak wind gusts reached 191 kilometers per hour. It is expected to bring continuous heavy rain to northeastern Taiwan until the evening of Saturday, 24 October, with some areas possibly receiving up to 90 centimeters of rainfall. Although meteorological agencies in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan predict the storm's center will pass without making landfall in Taiwan, officials have not ruled out the possibility of a change in direction or slower movement, and have urged the public to avoid coastal and mountainous areas.
In southern Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, nearly 8,400 households suffered power outages. Four Japanese airlines cancelled over 160 flights combined. After passing northeast Taiwan and the Okinawa islands, Typhoon Champi is forecast to move over the sea off China's eastern coast before turning northeast toward Japan's main island.
Source: BBC