More than 1.8 million people have been evacuated in China as Typhoon Bavi moved towards the eastern city of Wenzhou after bringing heavy rain and powerful winds to parts of Japan and Taiwan.
The storm previously struck Japan’s southern Sakishima island chain with severe weather conditions before passing near northern Taiwan. Although Bavi has weakened while moving over cooler waters, authorities warned that the typhoon remains dangerous due to the large amount of moisture carried within its rain bands.
According to the National Meteorological Center, Bavi recorded maximum sustained winds of 144km per hour, equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, and was located about 200km southeast of Wenling in Zhejiang province as of 0808 GMT.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall near Wenzhou early Sunday, a city with a population of around 10 million people.
Chinese state media reported that more than 1.7 million residents in Zhejiang province, where Wenzhou is located, were evacuated, while another 100,000 people were moved from neighbouring Fujian province as authorities prepared for possible flooding and strong winds.
Wenzhou resident Huang Xinghuan, 50, said he was concerned about the storm but believed preparations would help residents get through the situation safely.
“I’m a little worried, but I think it’ll be OK. We’ve been through typhoons before. We’ll get through it,” he said while buying groceries before the market closed ahead of the storm.
Meanwhile, Taiwan evacuated more than 14,000 people, mainly from mountainous regions, as authorities took preventive measures despite Bavi not making landfall on the island.
Taiwan cancelled 920 international flights and all 282 domestic flights, while the country’s main international airport in Taoyuan was effectively shut down as the storm approached. Most cities and counties also announced typhoon holidays, resulting in the closure of offices and schools operating on weekends.
The island’s fire department reported 87 injuries, mostly involving falls from motorcycles and bicycles, as well as incidents involving falling objects.
In Japan and Taiwan, no deaths were reported from Typhoon Bavi, but 17 people were killed in the Philippines due to heavy rain caused by an enhanced southwest monsoon that was worsened by the storm’s influence.
Authorities in the affected regions continued monitoring the situation, with residents urged to remain cautious as Typhoon Bavi brought the risk of heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible disruptions.
