TAIPEI — Most shops and schools were shut across Taiwan on Friday as Typhoon Champi neared the island, forcing hundreds of people to leave their homes ahead of the powerful storm.

The typhoon is expected to sweep past Taiwan’s northeast as it moves towards China and Japan, triggering the cancellation of hundreds of flights in the region.

At least one person has been killed in Taiwan after being swept away by waves whipped up by the typhoon, authorities said. Dozens of others have been injured.

Champi is the latest in a busy Pacific storm season turbo-charged by the El Nino weather phenomenon that has caused unprecedented warming in the equatorial Pacific.

The storm was briefly a super typhoon as it crossed the ocean, but has since weakened and is now packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 176 kilometres (109 miles) per hour, according to the latest update from the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.

Heavy rain, strong winds and giant waves are forecast for Friday and Saturday, and thousands of military personnel are on standby to assist with rescue efforts.

More than 1,200 people had been evacuated from their homes ahead of Champi.

“As it approaches Taiwan’s northeastern tip... the typhoon may slow down. If it slows down, its impact will last longer,” Central Weather Administration administrator Lu Kuo-chen told a briefing.