Tropical cyclone Champi ready to brush past Taiwan

Severe Typhoon Champi, currently located in the Western Pacific, is drawing closer to Taiwan. Work and classes have been suspended across counties and cities across the island. 

Along the coast of Keelung in Taipei, strong winds and rain squalls were recorded this morning, with high waves repeatedly battering the shore. Beaches have been closed, and visitors are strictly prohibited from entering. 

In Hualien City in eastern Taiwan, strong winds also blew, snapping trees and causing roof billboards to collapse.

The meteorological department stated that winds near the center of Champi have reached Force 14. It is expected to continue moving in a northwesterly direction, closing in on northeastern Taiwan while slowly weakening. 

Saturday morning, it will move into the southern East China Sea and take a northward path. Around Sunday, it will track north along the waters off eastern Zhejiang before veering northeast toward the southwestern coast of Japan.