Typhoon Champi Prompts School Closures, Flight Cancellations in Taiwan

Taiwan shut down schools and offices and grounded hundreds of flights as Typhoon Champi brushed the island Friday, bringing strong winds and torrential rains. The storm's center was forecast to remain offshore as it swept by the island's northeastern tip before turning north toward Japan's southwestern islands.

Champi had peaked at 298 kph (185 mph) maximum sustained winds earlier in the week but had weakened to 155 kph (96 mph) winds as it approached Taiwan from the southwest. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration urged residents in coastal areas to avoid outdoor activities and driving and to be cautious of falling objects.

In preparation for the storm, almost 1,300 people were evacuated from vulnerable, mountainous areas, according to the government. All of Taiwan’s 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights were canceled, the transport ministry reported. High-speed rail services on the western coast, however, continued to operate normally.

One fatality was reported on Thursday after an individual was swept away by waves off the southeastern coast of Taiwan’s main island, according to the fire department. Ninety-four other injuries were also attributed to the storm.

Elsewhere in the region, Typhoon Champi caused disruptions in Japan and the Philippines. In southwestern Japan, one person was injured, flights were grounded, and power outages occurred. On Miyako island, a woman in her 70s sustained a broken leg from the wind, and nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki island lost electricity. Dozens of flights in and out of the southwestern islands were canceled.

In the Philippines, the coast guard prohibited ships and ferries from venturing into rough waters off several northern towns and cities. The main domestic airport in Batanes provincial capital of Basco was shut down, and two local flights were canceled. Windows at the airport were boarded up as a precautionary measure. In Cagayan province, nearly 200 people evacuated to safer locations, including close to 100 who moved to government-run emergency shelters. Classes were suspended in the island town of Calayan due to the typhoon.

Earlier in the month, Champi had passed over several Pacific islands, including Guam, where a federal disaster area was declared.