TAIPEI | October 24, 2026 | Typhoon Champi disrupted nearly 1,000 flights in Taiwan, forced widespread school and office closures, and prompted evacuations in vulnerable communities as the storm passed near the island on Friday. The typhoon, known as Rosal in the Philippines, also caused travel disruptions and hazardous weather conditions in parts of the country, with authorities continuing to monitor its effects on Saturday.
Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration reported that 977 flights had been canceled between Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday, including 262 domestic flights and 715 international and cross-strait flights. The storm also disrupted ferry services, with 96 sailings on 10 routes suspended. Airlines advised passengers to check their flight status because departures and arrivals could be canceled, delayed or rescheduled.
Typhoon Champi prompted the closure of schools and offices across affected areas of Taiwan as authorities prepared for strong winds, torrential rain and dangerous coastal conditions. More than 2,600 people were evacuated from vulnerable mountainous communities, while emergency responders remained on alert for flooding, landslides and other storm-related hazards.
The storm also caused casualties. One person died after being swept away by waves, and more than 170 people were reported injured in Taiwan. Authorities urged residents to stay away from coastal areas and remain alert for falling objects and other dangers associated with strong winds.
Although Champi had weakened from its earlier peak intensity, it remained a powerful typhoon. Taiwan’s weather authorities reported sustained winds of about 155 kilometers per hour on Friday, with stronger gusts. The storm’s extensive wind field meant that hazardous conditions could affect areas beyond its immediate center. Its track took it near northeastern Taiwan before it continued toward waters near China and Japan.
Public transportation in Taipei continued operating despite the weather disruptions, according to reports from Taiwan. However, flight and ferry cancellations affected travel plans, and authorities warned that the storm’s effects could persist through Saturday. Travelers were advised to confirm transport schedules before leaving for airports or ports.
In Japan, Champi also disrupted air travel and caused injuries. Southwestern islands experienced flight disruptions, while nearly 2,000 homes on Ishigaki Island were reported to have lost electricity, according to news reports.
In the Philippines, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported in its 5 a.m. bulletin on October 24 that Typhoon Rosal had weakened slightly while moving southwestward over the sea east of Taiwan. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching 185 kph, and was moving at 10 kph.
PAGASA forecast that Rosal’s outer circulation would bring strong to gale-force wind gusts to the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, northern Quezon, the Polillo Islands, the Bicol Region, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental on Saturday. Batanes remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in the 5 a.m. bulletin, indicating that winds of 39 to 61 kph could occur within the warning period.
The storm’s earlier passage also disrupted communities in northern Philippines. Reports indicated that authorities restricted maritime travel, closed an airport in Batanes, canceled flights, suspended classes and evacuated nearly 200 people in Cagayan province. Residents in affected areas were urged to follow instructions from local disaster risk reduction and management offices and transport authorities.
PAGASA’s October 23 weekly outlook also forecast that the Intertropical Convergence Zone would bring cloudy skies, scattered rain and thunderstorms to parts of the Visayas, the Bicol Region and the Zamboanga Peninsula on October 24. Other areas were expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. These forecasts should be read alongside the latest tropical cyclone and local weather advisories.
As of PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, Rosal was forecast to move farther away from the Philippines and remain outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. However, the agency cautioned that strong winds could still affect several areas even as the storm moved away. Residents, fishers and operators of small vessels were advised to monitor official updates and avoid dangerous sea conditions.
Travelers in Taiwan and Japan should continue checking airline and ferry advisories, while communities in the Philippines should follow PAGASA bulletins and local government instructions. The storm’s weakening does not immediately eliminate risks from strong winds, rough seas, flooding or landslides in affected areas.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
