Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Champi, hundreds of flights cancelled

Taiwan observed a full shutdown on Friday in anticipation of Typhoon Champi, which is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall. Although the storm has weakened and is not projected to make direct landfall, it retains significant strength with wind gusts near 191 kilometers per hour. The typhoon was approximately 330 kilometers east of Taiwan's southern tip, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Forecast models indicate the storm's path will traverse just off northeastern Taiwan, turn north towards the Chinese mainland, and eventually reach southern Japan. The CWA has designated a large area of around 320 kilometers to encompass most of Taiwan, with impacts potentially lasting nearly two days.

The financial markets in Taiwan will also be closed for Friday, while only the Taiwanese-controlled Kinmen islands, near the Chinese coast, will maintain regular school and office operations. The transport ministry has cancelled all 262 domestic flights for the day, in addition to over 350 international flights. In Taipei, squally showers were observed, yet public transportation, including the subway, continued to operate albeit with reduced service.

Taiwan has a strong track record in typhoon preparedness, which has helped minimize casualties. Although typhoons are more common in summer, they can occur in autumn as well. The typhoon is expected to first impact Japan's westernmost inhabited island, Yonaguni, in Okinawa Prefecture.