Taiwan braces as El Nino-supercharged Typhoon Champi approaches island

Taiwan is bracing for potential impact as Typhoon Champi bears down on the island after weakening slightly, with nearly all businesses, shops and schools closed.

Over 1,300 people have been forced to evacuate to higher ground, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled across the region according to the Ministry of Transportation.

At least one person has already been killed after being swept out to sea and dozens more have been injured.

On Friday, locals were still busy installing sandbags and metal barriers in front of doors and windows to defend against flooding, while authorities positioned inflatable boats and amphibious vehicles around the island to aid in rescue efforts.

In the capital Taipei, public transport was still operating, but at reduced capacity.

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) says Champi is currently about 220 kilometers (137 miles) east of the island's southern shore.

The storm is projected to move past Taiwan's northeastern shore before turning north to China and eventually moving east into southern Japan. But forecasters say that any deviation from its current course could mean a direct hit for Taiwan.

The storm is expected to bring torrential rain, massive waves and sustained high winds to Taiwan throughout Friday and Saturday. Military personnel are on standby to assist with rescue efforts throughout.

"As it approaches Taiwan's northeastern tip, the typhoon may slow down. If it slows down, its impact will last longer," CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen told reporters, adding, "People should be aware that the strong winds and extremely heavy rain will continue into the first half of tomorrow."

Forecasters say the storm's radius is currently about 320 kilometers, wide enough to blanket most of the island.

Fueled by this year's exceptionally strong El Nino season — a cyclical weather phenomenon that sees water temperatures in the tropical Pacific rise, in turn turbocharging storms, or inversely droughts — Champi attained "super typhoon" status as it built strength during its approach, with winds clocking 298 kmh (185 mph).

Though it has weakened, the CWA says Champi is still packing wind gusts of about 190 kmh as it approaches from the southwest.

This year's El Nino phase, which the United Nations on Wednesday described as "heading off the charts," is expected to peak in December. It's impact however, could last years, with the UN urging nations in the Pacific to prepare for the worst.