Typhoon Champi cancels 931 Taiwan flights and kills one

Typhoon Champi forced the cancellation of 931 flights across Taiwan on Friday as the system moved past the island's northeastern tip. The Transport Ministry confirmed the suspension of all 262 domestic and 669 international flights. High-speed rail services on the western coast continued to operate normally despite the weather.

The storm weakened to 155 kilometers per hour as it approached from the southeast. It had previously reached maximum sustained winds of 298 kilometers per hour earlier in the week. Forecasts indicate the storm center remains offshore while the system turns north toward Japan's southwestern islands.

One person died on Thursday in Liuqiu, a small island off the southeastern coast. The fire department reported the individual was swept away by waves. Ninety-four others were injured in the storm. The government stated that more than 2,600 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous areas.

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration advised residents in coastal zones to avoid driving and outdoor activities. The agency warned people to watch for falling objects. Schools and offices remained closed throughout the island on Friday.

The typhoon has a radius of approximately 320 kilometers, covering most of Taiwan. Transport services in Taipei, including the subway, stayed open. The capital experienced only light showers and gusty winds. Experts expect the storm's heaviest impact on the island to last through Saturday.

In Japan, the storm disrupted flights and cut power in southwestern regions. The Okinawa prefecture government reported a woman in her 70s broke a leg in strong winds on Miyako island. Nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki island lost electricity. Dozens of flights to and from Miyako, Ishigaki, and Okinawa were cancelled.

The northern Philippines also felt the storm's effects on Friday. The coast guard barred ships and ferries from sailing in rough waters off several northern towns. The main domestic airport in Basco, the capital of Batanes province, closed and cancelled two local flights. Aviation officials boarded up windows at the airport as a precaution. Provincial officials suspended classes in Calayan, Cagayan province, after nearly 200 people moved to safer ground.