Typhoon Champi: Taiwan scraps 931 flights as storm loses strength
The typhoon has slowed to 155 km/h, yet it has grounded all domestic and international departures from Taiwan while one person was killed in the southeast.
By Maya Sokolov ·
931 flights were cancelled across Taiwan on Friday as Typhoon Champi moved past the island's northeastern tip. The Transport Ministry confirmed the suspension of all 262 domestic and 669 international services. High-speed rail lines along the western coast maintained normal operations during the disruption.
The storm's maximum sustained winds dropped to 155 kilometres per hour. This represents a reduction from the 298 kilometres per hour recorded earlier in the week. The system approaches from the southeast and is forecast to turn north toward Japan's southwestern islands.
One person died on Thursday after being swept away by waves in Liuqiu. The fire department identified the location as a small island off the southeastern coast of Taiwan's main island. Authorities reported that 94 other individuals sustained injuries related to the storm.
More than 2,600 residents were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas. The government ordered these evacuations to mitigate risks from heavy rain and strong winds. The Central Weather Administration advised coastal residents to avoid driving and stay away from outdoor activities to prevent injuries from falling objects.
Taipei experienced only light showers and gusty winds on Friday. Subway services and other transport networks in the capital remained open. Experts indicated that the storm's greatest impact on the island would persist through Saturday.
In Japan, the typhoon has injured one person and disrupted local travel. A woman in her 70s broke a leg in strong winds on Miyako island. Nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki island lost power, and dozens of flights to and from the region were cancelled.
The northern Philippines also felt the storm's effects. The coast guard barred ships and ferries from sailing in rough waters off several northern towns. The main domestic airport in Basco, Batanes province, closed and cancelled two local flights. Officials boarded up airport windows as a precaution, and nearly 200 people moved to safer ground in Cagayan province.
Champi passed over several Pacific islands earlier this month, including Guam. Authorities declared a federal disaster area in Guam following the storm's earlier passage through the region.
Source: CBC News
