Typhoon Bavi reached China’s eastern province of Zhejiang late Saturday night, marking the second major storm to impact the country in just over a week. The weather system, which previously brought heavy winds and rainfall to Taiwan and Japan’s southern islands, made landfall in the coastal city of Yuhuan. While the storm is expected to gradually weaken as it moves inland, authorities remain on high alert.
In preparation for the typhoon, which carried maximum sustained winds of 144 kph (89 mph) near its center, Chinese officials evacuated more than 1.7 million people as of Saturday morning. Additional safety measures included the relocation of approximately 34,000 residents from high-risk areas in Shanghai by Saturday noon, and over 3,700 people moved from coastal zones in Ningde, Fujian province. Fujian authorities also placed more than 17,000 emergency rescue workers on standby.
The National Meteorological Center issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest on a four-tier scale, alongside the year’s first red alert for rainstorms. These conditions led to widespread disruptions, including the suspension of numerous schools and ferry services, the cancellation of hundreds of flights, and the halting of several high-speed railway routes. To support emergency efforts, the government allocated 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in central natural disaster relief funds for Zhejiang and Fujian.
Before reaching China, the storm intensified seasonal monsoon rains, leading to deadly landslides in the southern Philippines. Office of Civil Defense spokesperson Diego Mariano reported that a landslide in the coastal town of Malapatan, Sarangani province, killed at least 10 people and left three missing on Friday morning. A separate landslide in Calanogas, Lanao del Sur, resulted in five deaths and six missing persons. Additionally, two people drowned in floodwaters in Bukidnon on Wednesday. Deputy administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV noted that approximately 11,000 villagers had sought refuge in 77 emergency shelters across the southern Philippines.
Taiwan also faced significant impacts, with authorities reporting at least 113 injuries by 7 p.m. Saturday, many occurring while individuals were riding motorcycles in hazardous weather. Over 14,200 people were evacuated from areas including Hualien county and Taichung city, and schools and offices were largely suspended. Meanwhile, in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, local authorities issued warnings for high waves and storm surges, as more than 200 flights were canceled across the region due to the severe weather. Strong winds and rain have hit islands including Ishigaki.
The first, Maysak, made landfall in southern China on July 3.
More than 110 people injured in Taiwan as high winds hit JapanAs of Saturday at 7 p.m., Taiwanese authorities registered at least 113 injuries from Typhoon Bavi, some sustained while riding motorcycles in rain and winds on slippery roads.
