Typhoon Champi forces island‑wide shutdown in Taiwan, kills one and injures dozens

The super‑typhoon prompted the suspension of work, classes and most flights as authorities evacuated nearly 1,300 people.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:34:58 GMT

Typhoon Champi brushed Taiwan on Friday, prompting the government to suspend work and classes across the island, cancel most flights and evacuate thousands, according to Taiwanese authorities.

What happened

At the time of the storm, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Champi was about 330 km east of Taiwan’s southern tip and generating gusts of roughly 191 kph near its centre. The storm, which had reached super‑typhoon status earlier in the week with peak sustained winds of about 298 kph, weakened to sustained winds of about 155 kph as it approached from the southwest. Its wind field spanned roughly 320 km, one of the larger radii recorded in recent years, exposing much of the island to strong winds for an extended period.

One person was killed on Thursday when waves swept her away on Liuqiu Island, and 94 others were injured on the main island. Nearly 1,300 residents were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas. The Ministry of National Defence deployed close to 20,000 soldiers, amphibious vehicles, trucks, inflatable rafts and other rescue gear, while sandbags were distributed in Yilan County and rescue boats were placed on standby.

The transport ministry cancelled all 262 domestic flights scheduled for Friday and 715 international services, according to the ministry’s statement. High‑speed rail on the western coast continued to run. In Japan’s southwestern islands, the typhoon injured one person, broke a 70‑year‑old woman’s leg on Miyako Island and left almost 2,000 homes without power on Ishigaki Island.

In the Philippines, the coast guard barred ships from choppy waters, the main airport in Basco (Batanes) was shut, and nearly 200 people were moved to shelters in Cagayan province, with classes suspended in the town of Calayan.

What the reports add

The CWA warned that some mountain regions could receive between 600 mm and 900 mm of rain, raising flood and landslide risks.
Authorities urged residents to stay away from beaches, mountains and waterways, avoid outdoor activities and driving, and be alert for falling objects.
Lee Ming‑chen, head of the port town of Suao, said the military would be ready to use amphibious vehicles for evacuations and disaster relief.
Earlier in the week Champi passed within 12 miles of Guam’s southern tip, prompting a federal disaster declaration there.

What was said

CWA forecaster Liu Pei‑teng told Reuters that a direct hit could not be ruled out if the storm “stalls, loops, or wobbles from side to side”.

Lee Ming‑chen said, “When necessary, the military will come in to help people, including using amphibious vehicles for evacuations or disaster relief.”

How it came about

Champi had become the strongest tropical cyclone of 2026, recording peak winds of 296 km/h earlier in the week. Forecasts warned of heavy rain and possible flooding for Taiwan and eastern China, leading the American Red Cross to open 15 shelters across four islands, with over 1,000 residents taking refuge. The storm’s approach on Friday triggered the island‑wide shutdown described above.

Key facts

One person was killed and 94 injured as Typhoon Champi brushed Taiwan (independent.co.uk)
Nearly 1,300 people were evacuated from mountainous areas (independent.co.uk)
All 262 domestic flights were cancelled; international cancellations were 715 (source 1) or 669 (source 2) (independent.co.uk)
Champi generated gusts of about 191 kph near its centre while weakening to sustained winds of 155 kph (independent.co.uk)

Where accounts differ

Number of international flights cancelled: 715 international services were cancelled (independent.co.uk); 669 international flights were cancelled (independent.co.uk)
Wind speed description: gusts of around 191 kph near the centre (independent.co.uk); sustained winds had weakened to 155 kph (independent.co.uk)