Typhoon Champi Approaches Taiwan, Triggers Flight Cancellations and Warnings

Typhoon Champi is moving toward Taiwan’s northeast coast. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports maximum sustained winds of 213 km/h (132 mph). The Central Weather Administration has canceled more than 150 domestic and international flights for Thursday.

The storm is expected to dump up to 900 millimeters (35 inches) of rain in the mountainous regions of northern and northeastern Taiwan from Thursday to Saturday. Waves could exceed six meters (20 feet) in height. Over 23,000 military personnel are on standby to assist with rescue operations.

CWA forecaster Jason Cheng said the most significant impacts would begin all day tomorrow and continue into the first half of Saturday. President Lai Ching‑te urged residents to remain vigilant for strong winds and heavy rains. The storm’s radius is 320 kilometers (199 miles), smaller than the previous Typhoon Bavi.

The typhoon is part of a busy Pacific storm season amplified by the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused unprecedented warming in the equatorial Pacific. China’s Ministry of Water Resources has issued a level‑four emergency response for flooding in Shanghai and coastal provinces. Japan’s major airlines have canceled more than 110 flights from Thursday to Saturday.