Typhoon Champi threatens Taiwan with heavy rains, strong winds, and high waves, prompting flight cancellations and emergency alerts as El Niño intensifies.
Typhoon Champi approaches Taiwan
Typhoon Champi is heading toward Taiwan’s northeastern coasts, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and high waves. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) expects the storm to pass through the region on Friday and Saturday before moving toward China and Japan.Storm strength and impact
According to the U.S. military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Champi has sustained winds of up to 213 km/h, though it has weakened from its initial classification as a super typhoon with winds near 300 km/h. The typhoon could bring up to 900 millimeters of rain to mountainous areas in northern and northeastern Taiwan, with waves over six meters in coastal waters.Preparation efforts
Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, urged citizens to prepare for the storm’s effects, emphasizing vigilance and readiness. Over 23,000 military personnel have been placed on alert for potential rescue operations, and more than 150 flights were canceled as the typhoon approached.El Niño’s role in storm activity
Champi is the last major storm of an unusually active Pacific typhoon season, driven by the climate phenomenon El Niño. This event has caused warmer-than-usual temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, increasing storm intensity and frequency.Impact beyond Taiwan
In eastern China, millions of residents are bracing for heavy rains and floods, with authorities in Shanghai and coastal provinces like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian activating emergency response systems. In Japan, two major airlines canceled over 110 flights between Thursday and Saturday due to the storm.Global warning on El Niño
The United Nations has warned that the current El Niño is stronger than typical and urged countries to prepare for its prolonged effects. El Niño is expected to peak in December, but its impacts on weather and climate are likely to continue through 2027 and beyond.
