TAIPEI: A powerful typhoon pounded Taiwan on Friday as authorities warned of “destructive winds” and urged locals to shelter from the storm.

Typhoon Champi dumped heavy rain, toppled trees and knocked out power to thousands of households as it swept past Taiwan’s northeast on the way to China and Japan.

Most shops and schools were shut across Taiwan, hundreds of flights were cancelled and more than 4,300 people were evacuated from their homes ahead of the fierce storm.

One person has been killed in Taiwan after being swept away by waves whipped up by the typhoon, authorities said. At least 350 people have been injured.

“From tonight through tomorrow morning conditions will be very windy and stormy everywhere,” Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Ling Ping-yu told a briefing.

“Please try to stay indoors during this period for your safety.” Government text messages sent as Champi buffeted northern Taiwan on Friday night warned of “destructive winds” and urged people to “take shelter ASAP”.

Champi is the latest in a busy Pacific storm season turbocharged by the El Nino weather phenomenon that has caused unprecedented warming in the equatorial Pacific.

The storm was briefly a super typhoon as it crossed the ocean, with reported maximum sustained wind speeds of nearly 300 kilometres per hour, but has since weakened.

It gathered strength as it neared Taiwan on Friday afternoon and now has maximum speeds of 185 kph, according to the latest update from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Thousands of military personnel are on standby to assist with rescue efforts, and authorities are racing to restore power to more than 21,000 households.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2026