Typhoon Champi kills one, injures hundreds and cuts power to 280,000 homes in Taiwan

Typhoon Champi killed one person and injured 350 others across Taiwan as it battered the island with strong winds and rain overnight.

Impact

The storm’s wide span hit most of the island despite not making a direct landfall. A man was swept away by waves in Pingtung county, the southernmost region. Trees, signs and even the ceiling of a college dorm in Taipei were toppled. Power was lost for 280,000 households; by Saturday morning electricity had been restored to about 80% of them. Flights at Taoyuan International Airport were heavily disrupted, with 563 cancellations on Friday and a further 261 on Saturday.

Response

Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operations Centre confirmed the injury count and coordinated rescue efforts. Weather authorities reported that the typhoon was weakening by Saturday morning and warned that land warnings would be lifted by evening. Power authorities worked to restore electricity quickly, achieving the 80% restoration milestone.

Context

Typhoons routinely affect Taiwan during the late‑year season, and even a weakening system can cause widespread damage when its rain bands cover the island. Power outages and flight disruptions are common side effects of such storms, highlighting the need for robust emergency plans.