Typhoon Champi Nears Taiwan, Grounding Flights and Disrupting Keen Sword Drills

Taiwan issued a land warning on Thursday as Typhoon Champi closed in, leading to more than 200 flight cancellations across the region, per Reuters. Once a super typhoon and one of the strongest Pacific storms this year, Champi has weakened slightly but still carries gusts above 227 kph near its center, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration. The storm sat about 520 km southeast of Taiwan’s southern tip. Its radius has grown to 320 km, wide enough to cover most of the island, and experts say its effects could last nearly two days. The forecast track passes northeastern Taiwan, turns north toward the Chinese coast and then heads into southern Japan.

Taiwan Typhoon Warnings, Rain and Flight Cancellations

Coastal towns received phone alerts about waves over 6 metres, and nearly a metre of rain is expected in northern mountain areas, including hills near Taipei. President Lai Ching-te urged people to prepare now and avoid mountains and coasts. Taiwan’s transport ministry reported 125 cancelled flights, mostly domestic, while rail service was unaffected and no evacuations had been reported. Taiwan is generally well prepared for typhoons, which keeps casualties low.

Japan Flights and Keen Sword Military Exercise Affected

Champi is also expected to pass over Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island. Japan Airlines, ANA and Skymark have cancelled more than 100 flights, mostly domestic, from Thursday to Sunday, affecting over 11,000 passengers. The storm is disrupting Keen Sword, a biennial exercise that began Monday with about 56,000 Japanese and US personnel plus forces from five other countries, including the Philippines and Australia. The US military said training is being adjusted daily for safety.