Typhoon Champi kills one and injures more than 500 in Taiwan as outages and closures continue

Taiwan is facing a second day of disruption from Typhoon Champi, with officials now confirming one death and more than 500 injuries as the storm moved past the island and weakened. The typhoon swept close to Taiwan's northeast coast before heading north toward the Chinese coast, leaving large parts of the island still dealing with closures and transport disruption. Authorities said the system was still producing strong gusts as it passed about 150 kilometres east of Taiwan.

The fire department said one man was killed after being swept by waves from Liuqiu, while 527 people were injured during heavy wind and torrential rain. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said Champi was still packing gusts of about 126 kilometres per hour near its centre, even after weakening from earlier super typhoon strength. Taipower said more than 167,000 homes lost electricity, although most had since been reconnected.

Large parts of northern and central Taiwan, including Taipei, declared a second day of office and school closures on Saturday, and some flights were still being cancelled. The storm had already uprooted trees and severed power lines, adding to the disruption across the island. Taiwan is generally well prepared for typhoons, but even a storm that passes offshore can quickly affect transport, utilities and public safety.

The incident matters because Taiwan sits in a region regularly exposed to powerful typhoons, and the effects can spread beyond the point of closest approach. Champi's forecast track shows it turning north toward the Chinese coast before eventually moving into southern Japan, keeping regional planners alert. The storm also highlights how quickly a weakening system can still produce serious damage when it remains close to populated areas.

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Earlier reports showed the scale of the disruption building through the day, with evacuations, flight cancellations and widespread power cuts already under way. The latest figures suggest the impact has been broader than first reported, particularly in terms of injuries and electricity losses. The closures in Taipei and other areas also show how authorities respond when wind and rain remain dangerous even without a direct landfall.

What remains unclear is the full extent of damage in the hardest-hit areas and whether further casualties will be confirmed as assessments continue. Officials will also be watching the storm's path toward China and later southern Japan, where additional disruption is possible. The next developments will depend on how quickly power, transport and public services can return to normal once the system moves away.

Taiwan is facing a second day of disruption from Typhoon Champi, with officials now confirming one death and at least 350 injuries as the storm moved across the island's northeast. The typhoon toppled trees, shut shops and schools, and cut power to thousands of households while emergency crews responded to damage in affected areas. More than 4,300 people were evacuated from their homes as authorities warned that destructive winds and heavy rain would continue.

The Central Weather Administration said conditions would remain very windy and stormy from Friday night into Saturday morning, with the northeast expected to bear the brunt of the rainfall. Forecasters said Champi could bring up to 900mm of rain between Thursday and Saturday, and more than 400mm had already fallen in Yilan County on Friday. The storm had briefly reached super typhoon strength over the ocean before weakening, but it was still strong enough to cause major disruption as it passed near the island.

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The wider regional impact is also growing, with hundreds of flights cancelled and power outages reported beyond Taiwan. In Japan's Okinawa islands, about 8,400 households were without electricity on Friday afternoon, according to the local power company. Champi is forecast to hover near Okinawa before moving toward China's eastern coast and then turning northeast toward mainland Japan, keeping transport and emergency planners on alert.

The incident matters because Taiwan is highly exposed to typhoons, and even a storm that does not make landfall can quickly disrupt transport, power supply and public safety. The closures of schools and shops, together with evacuations from vulnerable areas, show how quickly authorities move to reduce risk when a powerful system approaches. The storm also comes during a Pacific typhoon season that has been intensified by El Niño conditions, which have helped fuel stronger weather systems across the region.

Officials said the typhoon could slow near Taiwan's northeastern tip, which would prolong the period of strong winds and heavy rain. That raises the risk of further flooding, landslides and coastal damage, especially in the northeast where the heaviest rain has already fallen. The next developments will depend on how long Champi lingers near the island and how quickly power and transport services can be restored.

What remains unclear is the full scale of damage in the hardest-hit areas and whether additional casualties will be reported as assessments continue. Authorities will also be watching the storm's path toward Okinawa, China and Japan, where further disruption is possible. The key indicators to follow are rainfall totals, evacuation needs, and the pace of recovery once the system moves away.

Taiwan has been brought to a near standstill by Typhoon Champi, with schools and offices closed, hundreds of flights cancelled and emergency crews responding to widespread disruption across the island. Officials said one person has been killed and 171 injured as the storm moved close to Taiwan's north-east coast. The typhoon also triggered evacuations from vulnerable areas and left tens of thousands of homes without electricity.

The latest figures show the scale of the impact more clearly. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said Champi was packing gusts of about 191 km/h near its centre and was roughly 220 kilometres east of the island. Authorities said 2,639 people had been evacuated from mountainous areas, while Taipower reported that more than 77,000 homes lost power, although electricity had already been restored to most.

The transport ministry said all 262 domestic flights were cancelled for Friday, along with 717 international flights. Officials warned that the storm could still bring dangerous conditions even if it does not make landfall. Forecasters said the system may pass just off north-eastern Taiwan before turning north toward the Chinese coast and later moving toward southern Japan.

The Central Weather Administration said rainfall was expected to peak on Saturday morning and continue into Saturday evening, while coastal towns received mobile phone alerts warning of gusts above 150 km/h and urging residents to seek shelter. The incident matters because Taiwan is highly exposed to typhoons and severe storms can quickly disrupt transport, power supply and public safety across the island. The closure of schools, offices and the stock exchange shows how authorities move to reduce risk when a powerful system approaches.

It also highlights the wider regional impact of Pacific typhoons, which can affect Taiwan, Japan and parts of China within days. Champi had earlier reached super typhoon strength over the ocean before weakening as it approached Taiwan, but it remained strong enough to cause major disruption. Forecasters said the storm's wind radius was about 320 kilometres, large enough to cover most of Taiwan.

Officials also said the system could slow, loop or wobble near the island, which would prolong the period of strong winds and heavy rain. The storm has already affected communities in the north-east, where strong winds and heavy showers were intensifying. In the port town of Suao, local officials said the military could be called in if needed to help with evacuations or disaster relief.

Boat owners in the northern port city of Keelung also rushed to secure their vessels as conditions worsened. The disruption comes during a busy Pacific typhoon season that has been intensified by El Niño conditions, which have warmed the equatorial Pacific and helped fuel stronger storms. For Taiwan, the immediate concern is limiting flooding, landslides and coastal damage while the typhoon passes nearby.

The wider region is also watching for knock-on effects, including further transport cancellations and power outages in Japan and along the Chinese coast. What remains unclear is how much additional damage Champi may cause as it continues to move through the region. Forecasters are still monitoring whether the storm will make landfall, and officials will be watching for further casualty reports, flooding and landslides.

The next key developments will be rainfall totals, the pace of power restoration and when transport services can safely resume.

Typhoon Champi has brought fresh disruption to Taiwan, with officials confirming one death, 94 injuries and widespread transport cancellations as the storm moved past the island. The typhoon also forced school and office closures, while emergency crews worked to clear debris and fallen branches in affected areas. Coastal communities faced dangerous waves, and authorities urged residents to stay indoors as the system continued to affect the region.

The latest figures show the scale of the disruption more clearly than earlier reports. A person was killed after being swept away by waves on Liuqiu island on Thursday, and nearly 1,300 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas. In total, 931 flights were cancelled in Taiwan, including all 262 domestic services and 669 international flights, leaving departure areas at Taipei's Songshan Airport largely empty.

Officials also warned that the storm would remain offshore before moving north towards Japan's southwestern islands. The impact has extended beyond Taiwan, with weather-related disruption also reported in Japan and the Philippines. On Ishigaki, one person was injured and nearly 2,000 homes lost power, while in the Philippines ferry services and flights were suspended in affected areas and residents of Cagayan province were evacuated as a precaution.

The storm had weakened from peak sustained winds of 298 km/h earlier in the week to 155 km/h as it approached Taiwan, but it remained strong enough to trigger major travel chaos and coastal warnings. The incident matters because Taiwan sits on a frequent typhoon path and severe storms can quickly affect transport, power supply and public safety across the island and nearby waters. The closures and evacuations show how quickly authorities move to reduce risk when a powerful system approaches, especially in coastal and mountainous areas.

The disruption also highlights the wider regional nature of Pacific typhoons, which can affect multiple countries in a matter of days. Earlier in the week, officials had already warned that Champi could bring heavy rain, strong winds and large waves, with northeastern Taiwan expected to be hardest hit. The storm had briefly reached super typhoon strength over the ocean before weakening, but it still carried enough force to prompt emergency preparations.

In Taiwan, streets were quiet as many residents stayed indoors and work and classes were cancelled for the day. What remains unclear is how much additional damage the storm may cause as it continues to move through the wider region. Authorities will be watching for further casualty reports, flooding, landslides and any new transport disruption as conditions evolve.

The next key question is how quickly services can safely resume once the typhoon moves farther away from Taiwan and toward Japan's southwestern islands.

Taiwan has shut most schools and businesses as Typhoon Champi approaches the island, with authorities warning of heavy rain, strong winds and large waves. The storm is expected to pass Taiwan's northeast before moving toward China and Japan, disrupting travel across the region. Officials said at least one person has died and dozens have been injured as the typhoon neared the island.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in the region, while more than 1,200 people have been evacuated from their homes ahead of the storm. The Central Weather Administration said Champi could bring up to 90 centimetres of rain from Thursday to Saturday, with northeastern Taiwan expected to be hardest hit. Administrator Lu Kuo-chen said the typhoon may slow as it reaches Taiwan's northeastern tip, which could prolong its impact.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said Champi had weakened after briefly reaching super typhoon strength over the ocean, but it was still packing maximum sustained winds of 176 kilometres per hour. Authorities also said thousands of military personnel were on standby to support rescue efforts if needed. In parts of Taiwan, streets were quiet as work and classes were cancelled for the day and many residents stayed indoors.

The storm comes during a busy Pacific typhoon season that has been intensified by the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has contributed to unusual warming in the equatorial Pacific. That wider pattern has raised concern about the scale and frequency of severe storms in the region. For Taiwan, the immediate focus is on limiting flooding, landslides and coastal damage as the system passes close to the island.

Businesses in some areas installed sandbags and metal barriers at entrances in an effort to reduce flood damage. A farmer in New Taipei City said he was worried that vegetables could be flooded and rot, reflecting concern among residents whose livelihoods depend on stable weather. The combination of evacuations, transport disruption and emergency preparations shows the pressure the storm is already placing on daily life.

What remains unclear is how much additional damage Champi will cause as it continues past Taiwan and into the wider region. Forecasters said northeastern Taiwan is likely to see the worst conditions, but the duration of the impact will depend on how quickly the storm moves. The next developments to watch are rainfall totals, any further casualty reports and whether transport services can resume safely after the typhoon passes.

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