Typhoon Champi Forces Nationwide Shutdown in Taiwan as Storm Looms
Typhoon Champi has triggered a near-total shutdown of schools, workplaces, and financial markets across Taiwan as it approaches the island's northeast coast. While the storm has weakened slightly, authorities warn that its massive wind radius and potential for erratic movement could still lead to direct landfall. The Central Weather Administration forecasts heavy rainfall and high waves, with the storm expected to clear the region by tomorrow evening. One fatality and numerous injuries have been reported, and military personnel are on standby for rescue operations.
Key points
- Schools and workplaces across all Taiwanese municipalities except Kinmen County were closed today due to Typhoon Champi.
- The Taiwan Stock Exchange postponed settlements scheduled for today to the next business day.
- Champi is currently a moderate typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 173kph and gusts up to 198kph.
- The storm's outer band is expected to cover the entire nation, with the center passing within 80km of the coast.
- More than 23,000 military personnel are on standby, and over 150 domestic and international flights were canceled yesterday.
- Premier Cho Jung-tai urged the public to avoid creeks, beaches, and mountainous areas even after the storm passes.
Background
Typhoon Champi has been intensifying since mid-October, reaching Category 4 status near Guam on October 18. Earlier forecasts warned it could become one of the strongest storms of 2026, fueled by unusually warm ocean waters linked to a strong El Niño. The storm's rapid intensification prompted emergency warnings and resource constraints in affected regions, including Guam.
How outlets are covering it
Taipei Times emphasizes the widespread cancellations and the storm's potential for direct landfall, noting the CWA's expansion of land warnings to 19 regions. BBC highlights Premier Cho Jung-tai's urgent safety warnings and the risk of the Wanli Creek landslide dam breaching. NBC News focuses on the scale of the shutdown, citing nearly 1,000 canceled flights and the storm's large wind radius, while also noting the potential for the storm to affect Japan. All sources agree on the storm's severity and the need for public caution, but differ in emphasis: Taipei Times on local impacts, BBC on safety warnings, and NBC News on broader regional effects.
Why it matters
Typhoon Champi's approach highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events linked to El Niño. The storm's potential to cause significant damage and disruption underscores the need for robust disaster preparedness and response systems. The incident also serves as a reminder of the human impact of climate change, which is exacerbating the effects of natural weather cycles.
What to watch
The storm is expected to leave Taiwan proper by tomorrow evening and move into waters east of Hualien County. Authorities will continue to monitor the storm's path and potential for landfall. The public is advised to remain cautious and avoid high-risk areas even after the storm passes. The El Niño phenomenon is expected to peak in December, potentially leading to further extreme weather events.
- School, work canceled as typhoon nears Taipei Times
- Hundreds of flights cancelled across East Asia as Typhoon Champi roars toward Taiwan BBC
- Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Champi, with nearly 1,000 flights canceled NBC News
- Typhoon Champi nears Taiwan, causing flight cancellations and disrupting US-Japan drills Reuters
- Strongest storm of the year barrels towards Taiwan and mainland China South China Morning Post
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Taipei Times