Taiwan shut down much of the island on Friday as Typhoon Champi approached, forcing the cancellation of 979 flights and prompting evacuations as authorities warned of powerful winds and torrential rain.
The storm had killed one person and injured 171 others in Taiwan, while authorities evacuated 2,639 people from mountainous areas. More than 77,000 homes also lost electricity, although power had been restored to most of them, according to Taipower.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said Champi was about 220 kilometres east of the island, packing gusts of around 191 kilometres per hour near its centre. Although the storm was weakening, forecasters warned that direct landfall remained possible.
CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng told Reuters that the storm could still hit Taiwan if its movement changed as it approached.
“Landfall could not be ruled out if it ‘stalls, loops, or wobbles from side to side’ on approach to Taiwan. The storm’s wind radius is quite large, among the bigger ones in recent years,” he added. “If the storm slows down, the strong winds will affect Taiwan for longer.”
The storm’s wind radius was estimated at about 320 kilometres, large enough to cover most of Taiwan. Weather experts warned that its effects could last nearly two days.
Coastal towns sent mobile phone alerts warning residents of gusts exceeding 150 kilometres per hour and urging them to seek shelter. Forecasters also warned that northern mountain areas, including areas around Taipei, could receive nearly one metre of rain.
In northeastern Yilan County, where strong winds and heavy showers were intensifying, authorities distributed sandbags and placed amphibious vehicles and inflatable rescue boats on standby.
The typhoon was forecast to pass close to the county later on Friday.
Lee Ming-chen, head of the port town of Suao, said the military was ready to assist residents if conditions deteriorated.
“When necessary, the military will come in to help people, including using amphibious vehicles for evacuations or disaster relief.”
Suao has suffered severe flooding during previous typhoons.
In the northern port city of Keelung, boat owners rushed to secure their vessels as the storm approached.
“It’s not that severe; I’m just worried that there will be flooding. Keelung has seen a lot of flooding this year,” said Liu Yu-en, an 18-year-old construction worker.
The transport ministry said all 262 domestic flights scheduled for Friday had been cancelled, along with 717 international flights.
Taiwan’s financial markets also closed, while schools and offices across almost the entire island suspended operations. The Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, located close to the Chinese coast, were expected to operate normally.
The north-south high-speed rail service continued to run as usual. Public transport in Taipei, including the subway, also remained operational, although services were reduced.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, said its operations remained normal, with no significant impact from the storm.
Champi was previously classified as a super typhoon and was among the strongest storms in the Pacific this year.
Its forecast track showed it passing just off northeastern Taiwan before turning north towards China’s coast and eventually moving towards southern Japan.
The storm was also forecast to pass over Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture’s westernmost inhabited island.
Taiwan is generally well prepared for typhoons, which helps keep casualties low. Although these storms are more common in summer, they can also strike in autumn.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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