Typhoon Champi: Typhoon Champi is moving towards Taiwan, bringing powerful winds, heavy rain and rough seas across parts of East Asia on Friday. The storm has disrupted air travel, forced evacuations, and prompted authorities to prepare emergency measures. While Taiwan faces the threat of flooding, China and Japan are also preparing for the storm’s impacts. Hundreds of flights have also been cancelled as airlines and authorities respond to the approaching typhoon.
Taiwan Faces Strong Winds, Heavy Rain
Taiwan is among the areas facing the greatest immediate threat from Champi. According to Taiwan authorities, one person died after being swept away by waves on Liuqiu, a small coral island southwest of Taiwan’s main island, while 94 people were injured. Nearly 1,300 people were also evacuated from mountainous areas as a precaution.
Authorities have warned residents about powerful wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and dangerous coastal waves as the storm approaches. Taiwan has cancelled 262 domestic flights and 669 international flights for Friday.
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China, Japan Brace For Impact
After passing northeastern Taiwan, Champi is forecast to turn north towards China’s eastern coast, including waters near Shanghai and Japan. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain along its projected path. Japan is also preparing for Champi, particularly the southwestern islands of Okinawa Prefecture. The storm is forecast to pass near Yonagunim, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Major airlines, including Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA), have cancelled more than 100 flights between Friday and Sunday.
How Was Typhoon Champi Named?
The name Champi comes from Laos and refers to a fragrant flower known as champaca. It was submitted by Laos to the regional list of typhoon names maintained by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Typhoon Committee for the western North Pacific and South China Sea.
These names are selected in advance and used in rotation to make storms easier to identify and communicate about. Champi was added to the list to replace Ketsana. While the Japan Meteorological Agency officially named it Champi, it was assigned the local name Rosal (another flower name) when it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
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