Typhoon Champi weakens after killing one and injuring 527 in Taiwan

Typhoon Champi killed one and injured 527 as it barrelled past Taiwan on Saturday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that toppled trees, damaged buildings and caused power blackouts and flight disruptions, Taiwan’s Central News Agency said.

The storm weakened after skirting Taiwan’s north-east coast, but officials said winds, rain and high seas could remain. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration forecast lifting the land warning on Saturday evening as the typhoon moved away from the island.

The victim was a man on Liuqiu Island in southern Taiwan who was caught in storm-surge waves, an emergency official said. Most injuries were caused by falling trees, electrical cables, billboards and other storm damage.

During the peak of the storm, over 288,000 households experienced power outages, though most power was later restored, Reuters reported. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and school and office closures remained in some parts of northern and central Taiwan.

Champi, which peaked as a super typhoon, was heading north off the Chinese coast towards southern Japan. Rescue teams and equipment were ready to be deployed as the typhoon approached China’s coast and fishing boats were being recalled to port, with some ferry services suspended.

Residents were advised to stay alert even as the storm loses strength, especially for those in mountainous and coastal areas at risk of heavy rain, downpours, and big waves.