Typhoon Champi hits Taiwan: 20 cities shut, 260+ flights cancelled
Synopsis
Typhoon Champi is forcing Taiwan to shut down across 20 cities and counties, with wind speeds potentially hitting 170 kmph and over 260 flights grounded in Taiwan and Japan. Taipei has already logged 200 mm of rain in 24 hours, and the storm is expected to keep battering the island through Saturday evening — making this one of the most disruptive typhoons to strike Taiwan in recent months.
Key Takeaways
Taiwan has ordered school and workplace closures across 20 cities and counties ahead of Typhoon Champi on Friday, 24 October .
Wind speeds could reach up to 170 kmph ; the storm is forecast to pass closest to Taiwan between Friday morning and evening .
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a land warning at 11:30 am on Thursday, 23 October .
Taipei City recorded over 200 mm of rain in 24 hours , raising flooding and landslide concerns.
More than 100 flights cancelled in Taiwan; over 160 flights grounded in Japan, including by ANA and JAL .
Storm effects are forecast to continue until Saturday evening .
Taiwan is battening down ahead of Typhoon Champi, with authorities ordering school and workplace closures across 20 cities and counties as the storm bears down on the island. With wind speeds potentially reaching 170 kmph, the typhoon has already prompted the cancellation of more than 260 flights across Taiwan and neighbouring Japan, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers.
Closures Across the Island
Local administrations confirmed that schools and workplaces would remain shut on Friday, 24 October across a wide swathe of the island. In the north, closures were announced for Keelung, Greater Taipei, and Taoyuan. Southern Taiwan followed suit, with Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung all suspending normal operations.
Eastern Taiwan and the outlying islands — including Yilan, Hualien, Penghu, and Lienchiang — similarly announced closures for both classes and workplaces, reflecting the broad geographic reach of the storm's anticipated impact.
Official Warning and Storm Track
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a formal land warning for Typhoon Champi at 11:30 am on Thursday, 23 October, as the system approached from the east. According to the weather body, the typhoon was expected to come closest to the island between Friday morning and Friday evening, with its circulation forecast to continue affecting Taiwan through Saturday evening.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from beaches and mountainous terrain as conditions deteriorate. Heavy rainfall has already arrived in parts of the island — Taipei City recorded more than 200 millimetres of rain in a single 24-hour window, raising alarms over flooding and landslide risk. The storm is expected to track close to the island's northeastern coast before gradually weakening.
Flight Cancellations in Taiwan and Japan
Taiwan cancelled more than 100 flights ahead of the typhoon's landfall, with airlines advising passengers to monitor real-time updates for schedule changes. The disruption extended well beyond the island's own airports.
In Japan, more than 160 flights were cancelled across four airlines. All Nippon Airways (ANA) confirmed that all flights departing from and arriving at Miyako Airport and Ishigaki Airport in Okinawa Prefecture would be grounded for the full day on Friday. Japan Airlines (JAL) also announced cancellations affecting services to Taipei Songshan Airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
The combined disruption has affected thousands of passengers travelling between Japan and Taiwan, as well as those flying to and from the southern Okinawa island chain.
What to Expect Next
Authorities are tracking the storm closely as it moves toward the northeastern coast. Residents in affected regions have been advised to stock essentials, avoid outdoor exposure during peak intensity, and follow official bulletins. The CWA's forecast window extends through Saturday evening, meaning disruptions to transport and daily life are likely to persist for at least another 48 hours.
Point of View
But the 200 mm rainfall already logged in Taipei before landfall is a reminder that preparation and outcomes are not the same thing. The broader story here is regional vulnerability: the Taiwan Strait corridor handles enormous passenger and freight traffic, and even a 48-hour weather disruption carries economic ripple effects that rarely make the headline count. Whether Champi's track and intensity hold to forecast will determine how quickly normalcy returns — and how that compares to the CWA's warning accuracy record.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Typhoon Champi and how strong is it?
Typhoon Champi is a tropical storm approaching Taiwan with wind speeds potentially reaching 170 kmph. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration issued a formal land warning on 23 October 2026, with the storm forecast to pass closest to the island between Friday morning and evening.
Which areas in Taiwan have been shut down due to Typhoon Champi?
Closures have been announced across 20 cities and counties, including Keelung, Greater Taipei, Taoyuan, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Yilan, Hualien, Penghu, and Lienchiang. Both schools and workplaces are closed on Friday, 24 October.
How many flights have been cancelled because of Typhoon Champi?
More than 100 flights were cancelled in Taiwan ahead of the typhoon, while over 160 additional flights were grounded in Japan across four airlines, including ANA and JAL. The combined total exceeds 260 cancelled flights, disrupting thousands of passengers.
When will Typhoon Champi stop affecting Taiwan?
According to the Central Weather Administration, the storm's circulation is forecast to continue affecting Taiwan through Saturday evening, meaning disruptions to travel and daily life are likely for at least another 48 hours from Friday.
What precautions have authorities advised for Typhoon Champi?
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from beaches and mountainous areas, monitor official weather bulletins, and prepare for flooding risks. Taipei City alone recorded over 200 mm of rainfall in 24 hours before the storm's closest approach, signalling significant hazard potential.
