Sunday, October 25, 2026 - Typhoon Champi has triggered widespread disruption across Taiwan, forcing the cancellation of nearly 1,000 flights as powerful winds and torrential rain battered the island. Authorities suspended schools, offices and financial market operations on Friday, October 23, 2026, as the storm approached the northeastern coast.
Taiwan’s transport authorities reported that 977 flights had been cancelled by Friday morning, including 262 domestic and 715 international and cross-strait services. At least one person was killed, hundreds were injured and thousands of residents were evacuated from vulnerable areas as emergency teams prepared for flooding and destructive winds.
Champi, which briefly reached super typhoon strength with maximum sustained winds of approximately 298 kilometres per hour, threatened to bring up to 90 centimetres of rainfall to mountainous areas.
Although forecasters expected the storm’s centre to pass offshore, officials warned that its large wind field could expose much of Taiwan to dangerous conditions. Fallen trees, damaged power lines and flooding disrupted communities, while ferry services were suspended on multiple routes. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, avoid coastal areas and remain alert to further weather warnings as rescue workers responded to emergencies.
The impact has extended beyond Taiwan, with flight disruptions affecting Japan and other parts of East Asia. By October 24, Champi had weakened into a tropical storm and moved north towards China, but transport delays and power outages continued. Thousands of passengers were left waiting for flights to resume, particularly on routes connecting Taiwan’s outlying islands with the mainland.
Airlines and airport operators urged travellers to verify schedules before departing, warning that weather-related changes remained possible. The immediate priority is restoring transport services, assisting stranded passengers and repairing damaged infrastructure as authorities continue monitoring the storm’s movement.
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