Typhoon Champi leaves one dead and 527 injured as it moves away from Taiwan

Taipei, Taiwan. Typhoon Champi passed Taiwan on Saturday, leaving one person dead and 527 injured as powerful winds toppled trees and disrupted electricity supplies. The weakening storm was moving north towards China’s coast, where it was not expected to come ashore.

Storm loops off Yilan before moving north

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said Champi was approximately 170 km (106 miles) northeast of Taiwan after brushing the northeastern shoreline of Yilan County early Saturday.

Around midnight, the storm’s centre veered south and followed the Yilan coast, then traced an unusual offshore loop before heading north again. Gusts in some coastal locations reached 227 kph (141 mph), bringing down electricity lines and tearing tiles from roofs.

The CWA said Champi, which had previously reached super typhoon strength and ranked among this year’s most powerful Pacific storms, was losing intensity. Gusts near its centre nevertheless remained around 126 kph (78 mph).

Forecasts indicated that it would turn north, follow China’s coastline and ultimately reach southern Japan.

Death reported on Liuqiu

Taiwan’s fire department said the death toll remained one after waves swept a man away from the island of Liuqiu. It reported 527 injuries amid intense winds and torrential rainfall.

In Yilan, a retired teacher identified by the surname Lin surveyed banana trees blown down in his garden. He said the most frightening conditions had come around midnight.

“It was a sleepless night. I haven’t seen anything like this in many years.”

The capital, Taipei, also experienced fallen trees and intermittent squally showers.

Power restored to most affected homes

Taipower reported that electricity outages had affected more than 288,000 homes, although service had since been restored to most of them.

The transport ministry put Saturday’s flight cancellations at 259, down from almost 1,000 on Friday.