Typhoon Bavi Hits China, Nearly 2 Million Evacuated
China evacuated nearly two million people as Typhoon Bavi made landfall in the eastern province of Zhejiang on Saturday, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain and widespread transport disruption. It was the second major typhoon to strike the country within a week.
Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in Zhejiang
Bavi reached the coast near Taizhou with maximum sustained winds of around 144 kmph, according to Chinese authorities.
The storm had previously passed close to Taiwan and Japan’s southern islands after reaching super-typhoon strength over the western Pacific.
China issued an orange typhoon warning and its highest-level red alert for heavy rainfall as the system approached the densely populated eastern coastline.
Nearly Two Million People Evacuated
Authorities relocated more than 1.7 million residents from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas across Zhejiang, Fujian, Shanghai and surrounding regions.
Schools were closed, ferry operations suspended and hundreds of flights cancelled. Several high-speed railway services were also halted as officials warned of flooding, landslides and storm surges.
Emergency teams, rescue boats and disaster-relief supplies were deployed across the affected provinces.
China Faces Second Typhoon in a Week
Bavi arrived shortly after Typhoon Maysak struck southern China, causing deadly flooding and extensive damage.
Before reaching China, Bavi intensified monsoon rainfall in the Philippines, where landslides and floods killed at least 17 people. Taiwan reported more than 100 injuries and evacuated thousands of residents, while over 200 flights were cancelled in southern Japan.
The typhoon is expected to weaken while moving inland, but authorities have warned that heavy rain could continue across eastern China and trigger further flooding.
