Super Typhoon Champi weakens but batters Taiwan with heavy rain and winds

Super Typhoon Champi, which peaked at 185 mph winds, weakened as it approached Taiwan and Japan on Friday, causing 1,331 flight cancellations across the region, widespread school and office closures, and the evacuation of nearly 1,300 people from mountainous areas. One death and 171 injuries were reported in Taiwan, with heavy rain and damaging winds expected to persist through Saturday.

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Super Typhoon Champi weakened from 185 mph to 96–173 mph winds
931 flights cancelled in Taiwan and Hong Kong (262 domestic Taiwan flights, 669 international Taiwan flights, 70+ Hong Kong-Taiwan flights, 100+ Japan flights)
Schools and offices closed across Taiwan
Stock market settlements postponed
Nearly 1,300 people evacuated from mountainous areas

Super Typhoon Champi, one of 2026's strongest Pacific storms, peaked at 185 mph maximum sustained winds earlier in the week before weakening as it approached Taiwan and Japan. As of Friday morning, the typhoon was packing 96 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 119 mph as it brushed past Taiwan's northeastern coast, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds across the island and threatening eastern China and southern Japan.

Taiwan's government declared widespread closures Friday in response to the storm. All 262 domestic flights were cancelled along with 669 international flights, affecting transportation across the region. Hong Kong-based carriers HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines cancelled or rescheduled more than 70 flights between Hong Kong and Taiwan, while Japanese carriers grounded over 160 flights from southwestern islands including Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa. Schools and offices were shut across Taiwan's main island and most municipalities. Stock market settlements were postponed to the next business day.

The storm caused significant casualties and displacement. One person died Thursday after being swept by waves near Liuqiu island off Taiwan's southeastern coast. As of Friday morning, 171 people were injured in Taiwan; one person suffered a broken leg in Japan's Okinawa prefecture. Nearly 1,300 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas in Taiwan. The Philippines also reported precautionary evacuations of nearly 200 people in Cagayan province, with the Batanes airport shut down and two local flights cancelled.

Authorities warned of continued heavy impacts through Saturday. Rainfall totalling up to 18 inches was forecast, with northeastern mountainous areas potentially receiving 600–900 mm through Saturday morning. Waves exceeding 20 feet were expected in coastal areas. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration warned residents in coastal areas to avoid outdoor activities and driving, cautioned about falling objects, and urged people to stay away from beaches and mountainous areas. Officials noted that landfall could not be ruled out, though the storm's center was forecast to remain offshore, passing within 80 km of Taiwan's coast before curving toward Japan.

Over 23,000 military personnel were placed on standby for rescue operations. A landslide dam on the Wanli Creek in Hualien County held 5 million tonnes of water, prompting evacuations of residents downstream as a precaution. In Japan, nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki island lost power. The typhoon's effects were expected to persist for approximately two days across the affected regions.

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#Super Typhoon Champi #flight cancellations #evacuation #weather disaster #Japan #Philippines #casualties #school closures #tropical cyclone #Hong Kong

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Why This Matters

Super Typhoon Champi disrupts transportation, commerce, and daily operations across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southwestern Japan. Flight cancellations (1,331 total) affect regional travel and cargo movement; stock market settlement delays create settlement risk. Evacuations and injuries signal immediate public safety impacts. Heavy rainfall (up to 18 inches forecast, 600–900 mm in mountainous zones) and 20-foot waves present ongoing flooding and coastal hazards. Military deployment of 23,000 personnel and monitoring of a 5-million-tonne landslide dam reflect critical infrastructure vulnerability. Effects are expected to persist through Saturday, affecting shipping, tourism, and supply chains across East Asia.

Timeline & Sources

Oct 22, 2026

Wire

Super Typhoon Champi peaked at 185 mph maximum sustained winds

Oct 22, 2026

Wire

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration expanded land warning to 19 regions

Oct 24, 2026

Wire

Typhoon forecast to turn north toward Japan's southwestern islands; impacts expected to persist through Saturday evening before weakening

Oct 24, 2026

Wire

Storm effects expected to diminish; typhoon begins weakening post-Taiwan passage

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