Typhoon Champi weakens but threatens Taiwan with record rain and landslide risks
Typhoon Champi, which recently peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon, has downgraded to a typhoon but remains a severe threat to Taiwan, eastern China, and Japan. The storm is forecast to make a close approach to Taiwan's northeast before curving toward Japan, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds through the weekend. Taiwan authorities have issued urgent safety warnings, canceled 125 flights, and closed schools and offices on Friday. Japan has canceled over 100 flights, affecting more than 11,000 passengers. The storm is expected to bring up to 18 inches of rain to Taiwan and eastern China, with a specific risk of a landslide dam breach in Hualien.
Key points
- Champi downgraded from Category 5 super typhoon (185 mph winds) to typhoon status (96 mph sustained winds) on October 22, but still packs gusts of 119 mph.
- Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-Tai urged the public to avoid coasts, mountains, and creeks, warning that the storm will envelop the entire island after landfall.
- Taiwan's transport ministry canceled 125 flights, mostly domestic, on Thursday, with schools and offices closing on Friday.
- Japan Airlines, ANA, and Skymark canceled over 100 flights through Sunday, disrupting travel for more than 11,000 passengers.
- The Wanli Creek landslide dam in Hualien is holding five million metric tons of water, with a risk of breach during the storm.
- Heavy rain of up to 18 inches is forecast for northeastern Taiwan and east-central China from Thursday night through Sunday, with potential for flooding and mudslides.
Background
Champi emerged as the strongest tropical cyclone of 2026 by wind speed on October 21, reaching 296 km/h and becoming the seventh Category 5 storm of the year. It had previously threatened Guam in mid-October, marking the third major tropical cyclone to impact the U.S. Northern Mariana Islands this year. The 2026 Pacific season has been exceptionally active, with the eastern Pacific already surpassing all-time records for accumulated cyclone energy.
How outlets are covering it
BBC News emphasizes the immediate safety warnings and evacuation orders in Taiwan, particularly the risk of the Wanli Creek landslide dam breach. Yahoo News provides a broader meteorological context, noting Champi's downgrade from Category 5 and its path across the western Pacific, while highlighting the significant travel disruptions in both Taiwan and Japan. Both sources agree on the severity of the storm's impact, but Yahoo places more emphasis on the storm's historical strength and the specific flight cancellations in Japan.
Why it matters
The storm poses a significant risk of flooding, mudslides, and structural damage to Taiwan and eastern China, with potential for prolonged power outages and transportation delays. The risk of a landslide dam breach in Hualien could lead to catastrophic flooding downstream. The widespread flight cancellations and school closures indicate the storm's significant impact on daily life and economic activity in the region.
What to watch
Champi is expected to make landfall in Taiwan on October 23, with the strongest winds from Friday through Saturday. The storm will gradually weaken as it moves north toward the Chinese coast and eventually into southern Japan. Heavy rain is expected to continue in northern and central Taiwan after the storm moves away on Saturday afternoon, with potential for ongoing flooding and mudslides.
- Typhoon Champi roars towards Taiwan, Japan and China bringing heavy rain and wind BBC
- Super Typhoon Champi, Churning Over Pacific, Becomes Strongest Storm of 2026 The New York Times
- Super Typhoon Champi becomes one of 2026’s strongest storms as it heads toward Taiwan and eastern China Yahoo
- Large, strong typhoon advancing toward southern Japan, moving to northwest Japan Today
- Typhoon Champi nears Taiwan, causing flight cancellations and disrupting US-Japan drills Reuters
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