Typhoon Champi approaches Taiwan, one dead and over 1,300 evacuated

Weakening from super typhoon status, the storm threatens prolonged rain and wind across the island

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Updated23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Typhoon Champi approached Taiwan on Friday, threatening torrential rain and powerful winds, with at least one person already killed and over 1,300 people forced to evacuate to higher ground. The storm, which briefly reached super typhoon intensity, has shut down businesses and schools across the island and cancelled hundreds of flights.

Typhoon Champi brought widespread disruption to Taiwan on Friday after weakening slightly from its peak super typhoon status. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reports the storm is currently about 220 kilometers east of the island's southern shore, packing wind gusts of around 190 km/h. Its massive radius of roughly 320 kilometers is wide enough to blanket most of the island.

In preparation, nearly all businesses, shops, and schools have been closed. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled by the Ministry of Transportation, and public transport in Taipei is operating at reduced capacity. Residents have been installing sandbags and metal barriers to defend against flooding, while authorities have positioned inflatable boats and amphibious vehicles across the island. Military personnel are on standby to assist with rescue operations.

CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen warned that the typhoon may slow down as it approaches the island's northeastern tip. 'If it slows down, its impact will last longer,' he said, adding that the strong winds and extremely heavy rain will continue into Saturday.

Forecasters say the storm is projected to move past Taiwan's northeastern shore before turning north toward China and eventually east into southern Japan, though any deviation from its current course could mean a direct hit.

Typhoon Champi has been supercharged by this year's exceptionally strong El Niño season. The United Nations recently described the current El Niño phase as 'heading off the charts,' with its impact expected to peak in December and potentially lasting for years.

Analysis

Why This Matters

A direct hit or prolonged impact from the storm could overwhelm infrastructure and rescue services in Taiwan, a major global technology and manufacturing hub.
The typhoon is a vivid example of how an exceptionally strong El Niño is turbocharging weather systems across the Pacific.
The UN warning that the current El Niño's effects could persist for years signals broader climate risks for the entire region.

Background

Typhoon Champi is one of several powerful storms to form in the Pacific this year, a trend linked to the current El Niño cycle. El Niño, a recurring climate pattern marked by warmer ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, often intensifies storm activity. The United Nations has stressed the need for Pacific nations to prepare for the worst as this phase peaks.

Key Perspectives

Taiwan's Government: The Central Weather Administration warns of prolonged impact and urges continued caution, emphasizing the storm's wide reach and potential to slow down over the island. Residents: Communities are taking direct action to protect property and lives, boarding up buildings and evacuating to higher ground as authorities mobilize rescue assets. Meteorological Bodies and the UN: Experts highlight the broader systemic risk, pointing to the record-breaking El Niño as a key driver of the storm's intensity and urging long-term preparedness.

What to Watch

Whether the typhoon deviates from its current projected path, which would increase the risk of a direct hit.
The duration of the storm's impact over Taiwan, especially if it slows down as forecast.
How prepared infrastructure holds up against the prolonged heavy rain and wind across the weekend.

Sources

Taiwan braces as El Nino-supercharged Typhoon Champi approaches island · DW English

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 5 supported.

Show each claim

Sources say otherwiseChampi had struck Taiwan on Friday.DW English: “Taiwan is bracing for potential impact as Typhoon Champi bears down on the island after weakening slightly”
Partly supportedThousands of people had been evacuated.DW English: “Over 1,300 people have been forced to evacuate to higher ground”
Partly supportedOne person was dead.DW English: “At least one person has already been killed after being swept out to sea”
Partly supportedTorrential rain and powerful winds had already claimed at least one life.DW English: “At least one person has already been killed after being swept out to sea”
SupportedMore than 1,300 people were forced to evacuate to higher ground.DW English: “Over 1,300 people have been forced to evacuate to higher ground”
Partly supportedThe storm shut down businesses and schools across the island.DW English: “with nearly all businesses, shops and schools closed”
SupportedHundreds of flights were cancelled by the Ministry of Transportation.DW English: “hundreds of flights have been cancelled across the region according to the Ministry of Transportation”
SupportedThe CWA reported Champi was about 220 kilometres east of the island’s southern shore.DW English: “Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) says Champi is currently about 220 kilometers (137 miles) east of the island's southern shore.”
SupportedThe storm was packing wind gusts of around 190 km/h.DW English: “Though it has weakened, the CWA says Champi is still packing wind gusts of about 190 kmh as it approaches from the southwest.”
SupportedLu Kuo-chen said, “If it slows down, its impact will last longer.”DW English: “"As it approaches Taiwan's northeastern tip, the typhoon may slow down. If it slows down, its impact will last longer," CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen told reporters”
Partly supportedStrong winds and extremely heavy rain would continue into Saturday.DW English: “People should be aware that the strong winds and extremely heavy rain will continue into the first half of tomorrow.”
Partly supportedChampi briefly reached super typhoon intensity.DW English: “Champi attained "super typhoon" status as it built strength during its approach, with winds clocking 298 kmh (185 mph).”

Correction

23 October 2026An earlier version of this story said Typhoon Champi had struck Taiwan. It was approaching the island at the time of publication. The headline also described thousands evacuated; the reported figure was over 1,300.