Typhoon Champi Batters Taiwan: One Dead, 94 Injured, 931 Flights Cancelled and Schools Closed

Powerful Typhoon Champi has left Taiwan reeling as it swept past the island on Friday in East Asia. Towering waves crashed against the coastline, one person was killed, 94 others were injured, and hundreds of flights were cancelled.

In Keelung, enormous waves crashed against the shore, while emergency workers cleared fallen branches and debris from streets in the capital. One person was killed after being swept away by waves on Liuqiu island on Thursday, while 94 others were injured.

Schools and offices were closed because of the storm. A total of 931 flights were cancelled, including all 262 domestic services and 669 international flights. At Taipei's Songshan Airport, departure counters stood empty and stranded passengers rested beneath screens displaying cancellations.

Champi had weakened from peak sustained winds of 298 km/h earlier in the week to 155 km/h as it approached Taiwan. Even so, the storm's strength was enough to cause widespread damage and fear in coastal areas.

Authorities evacuated nearly 1,300 people from vulnerable mountainous areas. Coastal residents were urged to stay indoors and avoid dangerous roads.

The storm's centre was forecast to remain offshore before moving north towards Japan's southwestern islands. On Ishigaki, one person was injured and nearly 2,000 homes lost power.

The Philippines also suspended ferry services and flights in affected areas. Residents of Cagayan province were evacuated as a precaution. Champi's impact has therefore spread beyond Taiwan to Japan and the Philippines.

International flights made up the majority of the 931 cancellations — 669 of them. That created major disruption to regional travel, leaving many passengers stranded at airports and forced to wait for alternative arrangements.

The waves crashing ashore were the deadliest aspect of this storm — the only person killed was swept away by the waves. That is why authorities repeatedly warned people not to go to coastal areas and not to take risks near the sea.

Even as the storm weakens, rain, waves and debris-clearing work continue. With schools and offices closed, normal life has been disrupted, and restoration work is under way in areas without power.

As Champi now moves north, vigilance has been stepped up in Japan's southwestern islands. Local authorities there are preparing amid fears of injuries, power outages and transport disruption.

In the coming hours, attention across East Asian countries will remain on the storm's path and strength. A full account of the damage in Taiwan, the resumption of cancelled flights, and the return home of evacuated residents all depend on an improvement in the weather.