Typhoon Champi nears Taiwan: flights cancelled, one person dead

Typhoon Champi is approaching Taiwan and disrupting air travel. According to Taiwanese authorities, one person died on Friday 23 October 2026, and more than a thousand people had to be evacuated.

Death and injuries

Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre (CEOC) said the victim was a man swept away by waves on Liuqiu island, off Taiwan's south-western coast. A total of 94 people were injured, mostly in scooter accidents or falls made more likely by strong wind.

Cancelled flights

Taiwan's transport ministry said 125 domestic and international flights were cancelled on Thursday 22 October. China Airlines cancelled flights to Japan's Okinawa island. Local carriers Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines also suspended some services. BBC reports hundreds of cancelled flights, but we could not confirm the full figure in a second source.

Warnings and forecasts

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued land and sea warnings. Coastal residents were warned of storm surges of more than six metres. In the northern mountains, including near Taipei, more than 300 litres of rain per square metre could fall within 12 hours on Friday.

The forecast is for Champi to pass between Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa prefecture, then turn north towards the Chinese coast. Earlier the typhoon passed over the Mariana Islands and Guam, where it caused damage.

What this means for you

People planning to travel to Taiwan or Japan (Okinawa), or to change flights in the region, should check flight status with their airline. The UK Foreign Office (GOV.UK) advises monitoring forecasts from Taiwan's CWA, staying flexible with travel plans and following local authorities' instructions. It also warns that flights, trains and buses may be delayed or cancelled during storms, and that swimming and water sports may be dangerous. According to GOV.UK, typhoon frequency in Taiwan gradually decreases in October, and the most active period is July to September.