Hong Kong’s weather authority said the centre of Typhoon Champi was over waters east of Taiwan at 7 pm on October 23 Vietnam time. Maximum sustained winds near the centre were around 155kph, equivalent to category 14, a significant decline from its earlier super typhoon strength of category 17.
Area affected by Typhoon Champi (Photo: Vietnam disaster monitoring system).
Over the following 24 hours, the storm is forecast to move north into the East China Sea and continue weakening. By around 7 pm on October 24, maximum winds near the centre are expected to fall to about 105kph, equivalent to category 11.
In the following days, Champi is expected to turn northeast towards Japan and weaken further.
Vietnam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said Champi would not enter the East Sea or directly affect mainland Vietnam. However, the storm’s circulation is expected to bring strong northwesterly to westerly winds of force 6-7, with gusts of force 8-9, to the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea on the night of October 23 and during October 24. Waves are forecast to reach four to six metres, with rough seas.
Winds are expected to gradually ease from the night of October 24. Authorities warned that vessels operating in the affected waters face a high risk from strong winds and large waves.