Taipei:The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a land warning for Typhoon Champi, which is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Taiwan through Saturday.

According to Focus Taiwan, as of 11 a.m. Thursday, Typhoon Champi was centered approximately 520 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, and was moving northwest at a speed of 15-20 kilometers per hour. The typhoon is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 184 kph, with gusts reaching up to 227 kph, and has a radius of 320 km.

The CWA forecasts that the typhoon will pass close to Taiwan on Friday, potentially bringing strong winds and heavy rain throughout the day. Forecaster Lin Ping-yu noted that the storm could slow down or stall due to the influence of Taiwan's terrain. On Thursday, northern Taiwan is expected to experience intermittent showers, while brief showers are anticipated in eastern Taiwan starting in the afternoon. Heavy rain is predicted for mountainous areas of New Taipei and Yilan in the evening.

Further warnings were issued by the CWA, including a strong wind advisory for parts of Pingtung County in the south and the outlying Penghu, Orchid, and Green islands, which could face sustained winds of 75 kph and gusts up to 103 kph. From Thursday night into Friday, even stronger gusts are expected to affect the north coast, Yilan, and low-lying areas of western Taiwan.

Typhoon Champi is anticipated to move away from Taiwan on Saturday afternoon. However, due to northerly winds, heavy to torrential rain may persist in northern and central Taiwan.