Taiwan’s Tourism Administration said the Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a land typhoon warning for Champi at 11:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 21 (03:30 UTC Thursday, Oct. 22), as the storm approached from the southeast.
CWA data cited by Focus Taiwan placed the typhoon 520 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi at 11 p.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 21 (03:00 UTC Oct. 22). Champi was moving northwest at 15 to 20 kph. Sustained winds were 184 kph, with gusts reaching 227 kph, and its reported radius was 320 kilometers.
CWA forecaster Lin Ping-yu said Taiwan could face strong winds and heavy rain during Champi’s expected close pass Friday. Lin said the island’s terrain could slow the storm or leave it nearly stationary as it approaches. The CWA expected intermittent showers in northern Taiwan Thursday, with heavy rain in mountainous parts of New Taipei and Yilan that evening.
The CWA forecast heavy to torrential rain in northern and central Taiwan on Saturday, even as Champi begins to move away. Focus Taiwan reported a separate wind advisory for parts of Pingtung County, Penghu, Orchid Island and Green Island, where sustained winds could reach 75 kph and gusts 103 kph.
Focus Taiwan reported that the CWA issued a sea warning Wednesday for vessels in the Bashi Channel and waters east and north of Taiwan. The alert urged vessels in those areas to remain vigilant. Earlier EconoTimes coverage of Taiwan’s preparations for heavy rain and rough seas had described the warning decisions as dependent on Champi’s track.
Focus Taiwan also reported that China Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan canceled or rescheduled some Taiwan-Okinawa flights scheduled for Thursday in Taiwan. Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines announced cancellations on some domestic routes, the outlet said. The changes were announced Wednesday for Thursday services in Taiwan.
