Quick Answer: Almost all of Taiwan shut down on Friday, October 23, 2026, as Typhoon Champi approached, closing schools, offices and the $5 trillion stock market, cancelling hundreds of flights, and forcing evacuations. At least one person has been killed and 94 injured, according to government statements. The storm is expected to sweep past Taiwan's northeast this weekend without a direct landfall.
Typhoon Champi has reached Taiwan. The storm that strengthened to a super typhoon earlier this week arrived on Friday, October 23, 2026, shutting down almost all of the island. At least one person has been killed and 94 injured, according to government statements, and hundreds have been evacuated.
Typhoon Champi Shutdown: Taiwan Closes Schools, Offices and Markets
Work and classes were cancelled across nearly all of Taiwan on Friday, and financial markets closed for the day. The only exception was the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, near the Chinese coast, which opened schools and offices as normal, the AP reported.
Taiwan's $5 trillion stock market — the world's fifth-largest — also closed, CNBC reported.
The Transport Ministry said all 262 domestic flights were cancelled for Friday, along with more than 350 international ones, the AP reported. Bloomberg reported more than 900 total cancellations; several train services were disrupted and Taipei's public transport ran reduced services, CNBC reported.
How Strong Is Typhoon Champi Now?
Champi is weakening but remains dangerous. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration says the typhoon packs gusts of around 191 kph (119 mph) near its centre, the AP reported. Sustained winds were 155 km per hour — a Category 2 hurricane — CNBC reported. Champi was briefly a super typhoon earlier this week.
The storm sat about 330 km (205 miles) east of Taiwan's southern tip, the CWA said, with a radius of around 320 km — large enough to cover most of the island. Its impact could last nearly two days.
Typhoon Champi Casualties: 1 Dead, 94 Injured
At least one person has been killed in Taiwan after being swept away by waves whipped up by the typhoon, authorities said, according to Agence France-Presse. Government statements say 94 people have been injured, CNBC and Mathrubhumi reported.
More than 1,100 people have been evacuated, AFP reported — Mathrubhumi put the figure near 1,300 — and thousands of military personnel are on standby, AFP said.
Where Is Typhoon Champi Heading Next?
The storm is expected to pass just east of Taipei early Saturday, then turn north toward the Chinese coast and eventually southern Japan, the Associated Press reported.
It is forecast to pass over Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost inhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture, with effects reaching Japan's southwestern islands. Authorities warned of torrential rain in northern Taiwan's mountains, raising flooding and landslide risks.
Why Taiwan's Typhoon Shutdown Matters
An island-wide shutdown in Taiwan carries weight beyond its shores: its chip industry is the world's most important, its stock market the fifth largest. The more than 900 cancelled flights show how the storm disrupts travel across East Asia.
Taiwan's system of early closures, mass evacuations and standby military keeps its typhoon death tolls low. Japan now watches the same storm curve toward Okinawa's western islands.
What Happens Next
The most dangerous hours are expected Friday into Saturday as Champi passes just east of Taipei, with heavy rain raising flooding and landslide risks in the mountainous north. Authorities will decide Saturday's reopenings only after reassessing the storm. For now, the island stays home.
Key Takeaways
- Almost all of Taiwan shut down Friday ahead of Typhoon Champi — schools, offices and the $5 trillion stock market closed.
- At least one person killed, 94 injured (per government statements).
- 262 domestic flights and 350+ international flights were cancelled; Bloomberg reported 900+ total cancellations.
- Champi still packs gusts of around 191 kph near its centre, per Taiwan's weather agency.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Typhoon Champi hitting Taiwan today?
Typhoon Champi is sweeping past Taiwan on Friday, October 23, 2026. Almost the entire island shut down as the storm approached. Taiwan's weather agency says the storm will pass just off northeastern Taiwan without a direct landfall, but its 320 km radius is large enough to cover most of the island with heavy rain and strong winds.
How many people have been killed or injured by Typhoon Champi in Taiwan?
At least one person has been killed — swept away by waves whipped up by the typhoon, according to authorities cited by AFP. Government statements say 94 people have been injured. More than 1,100 people have been evacuated, according to AFP, with another report putting the figure near 1,300.
Are Taiwan's stock market and schools closed because of Typhoon Champi?
Yes. Taiwan's $5 trillion stock market — the world's fifth-largest — stayed closed on Friday, October 23, and schools and offices across most of the island were shut. Only the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, near the Chinese coast, opened schools and offices as normal.
How many flights were cancelled in Taiwan due to Typhoon Champi?
Taiwan's Transport Ministry said all 262 domestic flights were cancelled for Friday, October 23, along with more than 350 international ones. Bloomberg reported more than 900 flights cancelled in total. Several train services were disrupted and Taipei's public transport ran reduced services.
Where is Typhoon Champi going next?
Forecasters expect Champi to pass just east of Taipei early Saturday, then turn north toward the Chinese coast and into southern Japan. The storm is forecast to first pass over Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost inhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture, with effects expected across Japan's southwestern islands.
How strong is Typhoon Champi?
Champi was briefly a super typhoon earlier in the week but has weakened. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration says it still packs gusts of around 191 kph (119 mph) near its centre, with sustained winds of 155 km per hour — equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.
Sources
- The Hindu / Associated Press — "Taiwan shuts down ahead of weakening Typhoon Champi, hundreds of flights cancelled" (published October 23, 2026)
- CNBC-TV18 (with Bloomberg and agencies) — "Taiwan shuts stock market, schools as Typhoon Champi nears; over 900 flights cancelled" (published October 23, 2026)
- The Economic Times / AFP — "Taiwan shuts down as Typhoon Champi approaches" (October 23, 2026)
- Mathrubhumi English — "Taiwan grinds to a halt as Typhoon Champi threatens torrential rain" (October 23, 2026)
Byline: GlobalDeskNews Staff