Typhoon Bavi Approaches East Asia
Typhoon Bavi, measuring approximately 1,000km (620 miles) at its widest point—comparable to the width of France—is advancing across the Pacific Ocean towards Taiwan.
Landslides caused by one of the strongest storms in decades have resulted in at least 15 fatalities in the southern Philippines, as regions across East Asia prepare for the impending typhoon.
The storm is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to northern and eastern Taiwan, as well as a series of remote Japanese islands, before making landfall in southeastern China on Saturday.
Numerous flights have been cancelled and schools have suspended classes throughout the affected areas. Residents have been stocking up on supplies, leading to emptied supermarket shelves in anticipation of the typhoon.
Impact in the Philippines
On the Philippine island of Mindanao, landslides have buried families overnight, with rescue teams actively searching for missing individuals.
Officials report that moderate to heavy rainfall will persist in parts of the country throughout the weekend.
Preparations in Taiwan
Taiwanese authorities have issued warnings that Bavi could deliver up to 1 meter (39 inches) of rain. Approximately 29,000 soldiers have been placed on standby to assist with relief operations, according to the island's defense ministry.
The Central Weather Administration of Taiwan has indicated that Bavi is expected to be the largest storm by size to impact the island since 1987.
Farmers in the region have expedited harvesting or taken measures to protect their crops while weather conditions remained favorable earlier on Friday. Fishermen have secured their vessels tightly in preparation.
"Don't be fooled by the nice and calm weather now. A storm like this could be the most terrifying," said 60-year-old fisherman Chen Ming-hui to .
Thousands of sandbags have been distributed to residents and shop owners in areas prone to flooding.
Warnings and Preparations in China
Across the Taiwan Strait, Chinese authorities have cautioned about the "significant impact" expected from the typhoon, which may move northward after striking southeastern Fujian province.
Ma Jun, director of China's Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, stated,
"Bavi's large size and abundant energy mean its remnants and outer rainbands could move from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces toward the Bohai Sea region."
He further advised that northern provinces, which have less experience dealing with typhoons compared to southern regions, should enhance their preparedness efforts.
Some meteorological forecasts suggest that Bavi could make landfall twice within China.
Situation in Japan and Flight Disruptions
In Japan, residents on the remote Sakishima Islands remain on high alert. Photographs circulated online depict individuals taping windows and installing windproof nets on homes and businesses.
Several airlines have suspended flights in the region. Japan Airlines has cancelled over 100 flights scheduled for Friday and Saturday, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers.
Similarly, All Nippon Airways has cancelled more than 160 flights through Sunday, impacting approximately 20,000 travelers, according to .
Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines have also grounded flights to and from Taipei.
Aftermath of Typhoon Maysak in Southern China
Parts of southern China continue to recover from the destruction caused by Typhoon Maysak earlier this week.
Maysak resulted in at least 39 deaths, with rescue teams still searching through debris for missing persons. Over 130,000 individuals were evacuated, primarily in the Guangxi region.
The typhoon caused significant livestock losses and extensive damage to agriculture. It also triggered two rare tornadoes in central Hubei province.
Fatal Typhoon Maysak floods caused a dam wall to burst in China.
