Hundreds of flights cancelled as Typhoon Champi disrupts Taiwan
Taiwan closed schools and offices and cancelled hundreds of flights as Typhoon Champi approached, with authorities reporting one death after a person was swept away by waves on Liuqiu island.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled and schools and offices closed across Taiwan as Typhoon Champi brought strong winds and heavy rain on Friday. Authorities reported that one person died after being swept away by waves on Liuqiu island, underscoring the danger along the coast as the storm approached.
The death occurred on Thursday, according to Taiwan’s fire department, as reported by The Associated Press. The BBC also reported the fatality in its coverage of the widespread shutdown. The available account did not provide further details about the circumstances in which the person entered the water.
Taiwan’s transport ministry said all 262 scheduled domestic flights and 669 international flights were cancelled, according to AP. Those cancellations made aviation one of the most heavily disrupted services. High-speed rail along Taiwan’s western coast continued operating normally, showing that the transport shutdown was not uniform across the island.
The closures followed preparations that had already restricted travel and access to exposed areas. The Independent reported on Thursday that authorities had suspended ferry services and closed numerous tourist attractions. Additional water pumps were deployed in flood-prone locations, alongside inspections of drainage systems and flood-control equipment.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration issued sea and land warnings ahead of the storm, The Independent reported. President Lai Ching-te urged residents to prepare without delay and avoid mountains and coastal areas. Those precautions addressed risks beyond the immediate track of the typhoon’s centre, particularly where people could be exposed to rough seas.
The storm’s weakening did not mean authorities considered the threat over. AP reported that the weather administration urged coastal residents to avoid outdoor activities and driving and watch for falling objects. The warnings placed emphasis on reducing exposure while dangerous conditions continued, rather than treating lower wind speeds as an indication that normal activity could resume.
Forecasts reported ahead of Champi’s closest approach differed over whether its centre would make landfall. The Independent said Taiwan and Philippine forecasters did not predict a direct crossing, while China’s National Meteorological Centre forecast landfall on Taiwan’s eastern coast. That disagreement left the precise route uncertain even as preparations proceeded.
The potential effects also extended beyond Taiwan. Philippine weather agency PAGASA warned of waves reaching 12 metres along northern and eastern Batanes and nine metres around the Babuyan Islands, according to The Independent. Those forecasts highlighted the regional maritime threat, separate from the question of where the typhoon might cross land.
Attention now turns to updated forecasts and decisions on lifting restrictions. The Independent reported that Taiwanese forecasters expected warnings could be lifted on Saturday afternoon if Champi moved away as projected. That remained a forecast rather than confirmation of an end to disruption, with the timing dependent on the storm’s progress and conditions around Taiwan.
Primary source: BBC World. Newzly rewrites and structures source reporting for clarity; verify critical details at the original.