Typhoon Champi Suspends Work and School as Transportation and Businesses Adjust

The Central Weather Administration continued to issue both land and sea warnings for "Moderate Typhoon Champi" on the 24th of this month, reminding the public that northern regions remain within the typhoon's impact zone. Due to strong winds and torrential rain, counties and cities including Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung suspended work and classes for the day while activating various typhoon-preparedness measures. Although the typhoon began to weaken the previous evening, wind speeds ranging from 20 to 30 kilometers per hour persisted alongside ongoing rainfall, causing considerable disruptions to transportation and daily life.

As winds gradually subsided, the Weather Administration downgraded the alert to a "Mild Typhoon" warning at 2:00 PM and forecasted a further decrease in wind speeds for the following day. Meanwhile, transportation authorities began adjusting highway and railway schedules, with some long-distance bus services suspended and certain airports delaying arrivals and departures. Regarding schools, aside from some high schools in northern areas that remained closed, other regions resumed normal classes while urging students to remain vigilant against wind and rain.

On the commercial front, to ensure the safety of customers and employees, department stores completed disaster-prevention inspections early this morning before opening Mega City Banqiao and Far Eastern Xinyi A13 at 1:00 PM. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi and SOGO's northern branches opened their doors at 2:00 PM, alongside the installation of rain shelters and wind-resistant facilities. Breeze Center resumed operations at 11:00 AM, stepping up drainage and wind-protection measures within its stores. These adjustments demonstrate the retail sector's ability to swiftly modify operating hours and safety standards when natural disasters strike, thereby mitigating risks.

For Taiwan's retail industry, operating adjustments during the typhoon season concern not only short-term sales but also long-term customer trust and brand image. Statistics indicate that over the past five years, retail losses during the annual typhoon season have averaged approximately 0.5 percent of annual turnover, stemming primarily from closures, logistics delays, and damaged goods. Although Champi has already weakened, it serves as a reminder for businesses to strengthen supply chain resilience—such as diversifying procurement sources, enhancing waterproof warehouse facilities, and coordinating backup plans with logistics companies.

Looking ahead, the government and enterprises can seize this opportunity to review their disaster prevention and operational strategies. The Central Weather Administration has released a "Typhoon Season Business Disaster Prevention Manual," advising businesses to enhance customer communication during closures and provide online shopping and delivery services to maintain sales flow. Initiating contingency plans prior to the arrival of a typhoon can reduce closure-related losses and boost customer satisfaction. As climate change drives an increase in the frequency and intensity of typhoons, establishing a more robust risk management system will become key to the sustainable development of Taiwan's retail industry. (Source: Central News Agency)