935 flights grounded as Typhoon Champi strikes Taiwan

Typhoon Champi crossed the southeastern approach to Taiwan on Friday, prompting the suspension of most commercial air traffic and a widespread closure of educational institutions. The weather system had previously peaked with sustained winds of 298 kilometres per hour earlier in the week. By the time it neared the island, its intensity had dropped to 155 kilometres per hour.

The Transport Ministry reported the cancellation of 262 domestic routes and 669 international services. High-speed rail lines along the western coast maintained regular schedules. In Taipei, subway operations continued without interruption, and local officials recorded only light precipitation and gusty winds despite the storm's broad footprint.

The Central Weather Administration described the typhoon's radius as approximately 320 kilometres, a span large enough to encompass the majority of the island's territory. The agency advised residents in coastal zones to limit outdoor exposure and exercise caution while driving. Officials warned the public to monitor for falling debris as the system moved past the northeastern tip of Taiwan.

Emergency services confirmed one death on Thursday when waves swept an individual away in Liuqiu, a small island located off the southeastern coast. A total of 94 people sustained injuries during the initial phases of the storm. Government records indicate that more than 2,600 residents were removed from vulnerable mountainous regions. Meteorologists project that the peak effects on Taiwan will persist through Saturday.

The storm's path continues northward toward the southwestern islands of Japan. The system is expected to reach the southern mainland of Japan on Monday. In the Okinawa prefecture, strong winds caused a woman in her 70s to break her leg on Miyako island. Power outages affected nearly 2,000 households on Ishigaki island, and dozens of flights serving Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa were cancelled.

In the northern Philippines, the coast guard prohibited ships and ferries from navigating rough waters off several northern towns. Aviation officials closed the main domestic airport in Basco, the capital of Batanes province, and cancelled two local flights. Personnel boarded up the airport windows as a safety measure. In Cagayan province, nearly 200 people relocated to safer areas, with almost 100 seeking refuge in government emergency shelters.

Provincial authorities suspended classes at all educational levels in the island town of Calayan. The typhoon had passed over several Pacific islands earlier in the month, including Guam, where a federal disaster area was declared.