Typhoon Champi: 931 flights canceled and schools shut as storm weakens

One person died and 94 others were injured in Taiwan on Thursday as Typhoon Champi swept coastal areas. The fire department reported that the fatal incident occurred in Liuqiu, a small island off the southeastern coast, when waves swept the victim away.

The storm reached maximum sustained winds of 298 kilometers per hour earlier in the week. By Friday, it had weakened to 155 kilometers per hour. The Central Weather Administration forecasts the storm's center will remain offshore as it passes the island's northeastern tip before turning north toward Japan.

Taiwan's Transport Ministry canceled all 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights on Friday. Schools and government offices were closed across the island. High-speed rail services on the western coast continued to operate, and the Taipei subway remained open.

Government officials reported that more than 2,600 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas. The Central Weather Administration advised residents in coastal zones to avoid driving and stay away from outdoor activities due to the risk of falling objects.

The storm has a radius of approximately 320 kilometers, covering most of the island. Despite its size, Taipei experienced only light showers and gusty winds. Experts expect the storm's greatest impact on Taiwan to last through Saturday.

In southwestern Japan, the typhoon injured one person and cut power to nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki island. The Okinawa prefecture government stated that a woman in her 70s broke a leg in strong winds on Miyako island. Dozens of flights to and from Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa were canceled.

The storm also affected the northern Philippines. The coast guard barred ships and ferries from sailing in rough waters off several northern towns. Aviation officials said the main domestic airport in Basco was closed, and windows were boarded up as a precaution. In Cagayan province, nearly 200 people moved to safer ground, and classes were suspended in the island town of Calayan.