Story perspectives

Typhoon Champi Grounds All Flights, Evacuates 2,639 in Taiwan

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 10:30 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Taiwan Shuts Down

Taiwan shut down almost entirely as Typhoon Champi neared, prompting massive flight cancellations and evacuations.
One person died and at least 94 were injured when waves struck coastal areas.
Authorities evacuated 2,639 people, distributed sandbags and readied rescue boats in Yilan.
Over 77,000 homes lost electricity, but most power was restored quickly.
All 262 domestic and 717 international flights were cancelled for Oct 23.

Summary

Champi Intensifies Rapidly

Champi became the 30th typhoon of 2026, breaking the season’s record for strongest sustained winds.
Unusually warm ocean temperatures fueled Champi’s rapid intensification.
Zhejiang province cancelled ferry services and halted coastal construction as Champi approached.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued storm-surge warnings for Okinawa ahead of Champi’s passage.
A landslide-created natural dam in Hualien holds about 5 million tons of water, posing flood risk.

Summary

UN Warns El Niño

UN officials warned that the El Niño system is “heading off the charts” and called for urgent action.
They said El Niño could peak in December and affect nations through 2027 and beyond.
Convenience-store employee Peter Chen, 27, prepared sandbags fearing flood damage from the typhoon.
73-year-old farmer Tsai worried floodwater would rot his vegetables.
Military personnel remain on standby to assist rescue operations during Champi’s passage.

History

Historical Context

In November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, becoming the strongest Philippine typhoon on record and killing more than 6,300 people. The northwestern Pacific averages 26.5 named cyclones yearly and produced a record 39 storms in 1964, underscoring chronic intensity. In 2026, record-warm waters intensified Typhoon Champi, prompting evacuations in Taiwan, Zhejiang and Japan.

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Taiwan Shuts Down

Taiwan shut down almost entirely as Typhoon Champi neared, prompting massive flight cancellations and evacuations.
One person died and at least 94 were injured when waves struck coastal areas.
Authorities evacuated 2,639 people, distributed sandbags and readied rescue boats in Yilan.
Over 77,000 homes lost electricity, but most power was restored quickly.
All 262 domestic and 717 international flights were cancelled for Oct 23.

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