Taiwan is largely shut down today as Typhoon Champi is approaching the island, threatening strong winds and severe rain. Although the storm has weakened and is not expected to make direct landfall, authorities have warned that its impact could be felt across much of the island for nearly two days.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), Champi is packing wind gusts of around 191 kilometres per hour near its centre and is located about 330 kilometres east of Taiwan’s southern tip. The storm’s circulation extends approximately 320 kilometres, potentially affecting most of the island.
As a precautionary measure, Taiwan’s financial markets, schools and government offices have been closed across much of the island. The Transport Ministry has also announced the cancellation of all 262 domestic flights scheduled for today, along with more than 350 international flights.
The CWA has forecast that Champi will pass just off northeastern Taiwan before turning north towards the Chinese coast and eventually moving towards southern Japan. The typhoon is also expected to pass over Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture.
