Typhoon Champi paralyses Taiwan and cancels nearly 1,000 flights
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Businessday
Typhoon Champi led to the closure of much of Taiwan and the cancellation of nearly 1,000 flights, while 77,000 households suffered power cuts. The storm, with gusts reaching 191 kilometres per hour, was expected to skirt the island’s north-east, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
Typhoon Champi led to the closure of almost all of Taiwan on Friday 23 October 2026 and the cancellation of nearly 1,000 flights, as the island prepared for strong gusts and torrential rain. The storm, about 220 kilometres east of Taiwan, was still producing gusts of nearly 191 km/h, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
The authorities reported one death and 171 injuries, while 2,639 people were evacuated from mountainous areas. More than 77,000 households lost power, but electricity had already been restored to most of them, according to Taipower, the island’s electricity provider.
Forecasters did not rule out the typhoon directly hitting Taiwan if it slowed or changed course. Its radius reached about 320 kilometres and its impact could last nearly two days. Mountainous areas in the north, particularly around Taipei, were preparing for nearly a metre of rain.
Taiwanese financial markets closed and the authorities placed emergency resources on standby, particularly in Yilan County. This toll adds to the 171 injuries and death already recorded in Taiwan.
