VIDEO: Taiwan issues land warning as Super Typhoon Champi disrupts transport

Taiwanese authorities issued a land warning on Thursday as Typhoon Champi advanced toward the island, with forecasts warning of up to 900 millimeters of rainfall in northern mountain areas. The storm has already forced the cancellation of dozens of flights and ferry services.

The warning, issued by Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), initially covered the eastern counties of Yilan, Hualien and Taitung, as well as the southern county of Pingtung. Officials said the warning could be extended to much of the island in the coming hours.

At 12:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, Champi was located approximately 500 kilometers east-southeast of Cape Eluanbi, at Taiwan’s southernmost tip. Its maximum sustained winds were around 183 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 227 kilometers per hour.

CWA meteorologist Lin Ping-yu said the storm’s wind field had expanded slightly in recent hours. Current forecasts indicated that Champi could make landfall in eastern Taiwan or on the southern Hengchun Peninsula early Friday.

However, the typhoon could slow down or even stall as it approaches the island because of the mountainous terrain. Forecasters also warned that its center could make landfall in Yilan or northern Hualien.

Heavy rainfall and transport disruptions

The CWA forecast rainfall accumulations of between 600 and 900 millimeters in northern mountainous areas from Thursday through Saturday. Mountainous areas around the capital, Taipei, could receive up to 700 millimeters over the same period.

Champi could become the first typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year. Its approach has already led to the cancellation of dozens of flights and approximately 30 ferry crossings.

Classes and work activities have also been suspended on Green Island and Orchid Island, located off Taiwan’s southeastern coast.

China prepares for possible flooding

In mainland China, the Ministry of Water Resources activated a Level IV emergency response on Thursday, the lowest of four levels, because of the risk of flooding in Shanghai and the eastern provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian.

The ministry forecast heavy rainfall between October 23 and 25, warning that rising river levels could cause flooding in several coastal areas. Small and medium-sized rivers in Zhejiang could overflow, while mountainous areas face an elevated risk of flash floods.

Shanghai’s meteorological authorities forecast heavy rain from Friday through Sunday, with accumulations of 50 to 70 millimeters. Some coastal areas could receive up to 120 millimeters, while isolated locations could see as much as 150 millimeters.

Wind gusts in the Yangshan port area could exceed 100 kilometers per hour.

Typhoons are common in the region during summer and autumn, when warm Pacific waters favor the formation of tropical cyclones that can cause significant damage and disrupt transportation and economic activity.