Taiwan Issues Land Warning as Typhoon Champi Approaches, Disrupting Flights
Taiwan issued a land warning on October 22 as powerful Typhoon Champi approached the island’s northeastern coast, prompting airlines to cancel more than 100 flights and authorities to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous waves.
The typhoon, which previously reached super typhoon strength, weakened slightly but continued to pack wind gusts exceeding 227 km/h near its centre, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration. The storm was located around 250 kilometres southeast of Yilan County on Thursday.
Forecasters expect Champi to pass close to northeastern Taiwan before turning north towards the Chinese coast and eventually moving towards southern Japan. The storm’s radius has expanded to approximately 320 kilometres, leaving much of Taiwan exposed to its effects. Its impact could last nearly two days.
Authorities have warned coastal communities about waves exceeding six metres, while northern mountainous areas, including those near Taipei, could receive close to one metre of rainfall. The heavy rain raises concerns about flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas.
Taiwan’s transport ministry said 125 flights had been cancelled on Thursday, most of them domestic services. The island’s rail network remained operational, and officials had not announced any resident evacuations at the time.
The disruption is also affecting aviation operations in Japan. Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Skymark Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights scheduled between October 22 and 25. The cancellations are expected to affect more than 11,000 passengers, mainly on domestic routes.
Champi is forecast to pass near Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture, before continuing north.
Taiwanese authorities have urged residents to follow weather alerts and avoid dangerous coastal areas as the storm approaches. Although the typhoon is expected to weaken further, officials remain concerned about its potential to bring torrential rain, damaging winds and hazardous sea conditions.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
