Typhoon Champi leaves 56,000 Taiwan households without power

Taiwan experienced significant disruption from Typhoon Champi, with emergency crews working to restore power to 56,000 households still without electricity. The storm, which moved toward China and Japan, caused damage to trees, power lines, and led to brief flooding. One fatality occurred and over 500 people were injured since Thursday.

Authorities evacuated more than 5,000 residents ahead of the storm. Around 24cm of rain was recorded in Miaoli county. Shops remained closed across northern and central Taiwan for a second day due to the storm's impact. The Central Weather Administration warned of ongoing strong winds and waves around Taiwan as the typhoon moves north.

Typhoon Champi was initially a super typhoon with wind speeds of nearly 300km per hour. The storm weakened overnight as it passed off Taiwan's northeastern coast, where it dumped 65cm of rain since Thursday. Residents in New Taipei City expressed fear while commuting by scooter. Despite the chaos, some residents appeared unfazed by the typhoon.

Authorities in China warned of strong winds and heavy rain as Champi approached their east coast, leading to suspended train services and evacuations in Shanghai. Tens of thousands were evacuated from their homes in several Chinese regions, with flights cancelled in regions including Japan's Okinawa. The United Nations also highlighted the concerning effects of the current El Nino system, stating that it is more intense than previously anticipated and will continue to impact countries well into 2027.