Powerful Typhoon Bavi Hits China, Forcing Millions to Evacuate
Typhoon Bavi struck the eastern coast of China over the weekend, prompting the evacuation of approximately 1.7 million people primarily in Zhejiang Province, with additional evacuations in neighboring regions and 100,000 more in Beijing as a precaution. The storm made initial landfall in the coastal city of Taizhou before hitting Wenzhou, home to around ten million residents. Despite weakening to a severe tropical storm, Bavi still carries heavy moisture, raising concerns about severe flooding. Authorities suspended schooling, closed workplaces, and canceled around 400 flights and numerous train services.
The typhoon is the second to impact China within a week, following Typhoon Maysak, which caused 39 deaths and significant agricultural damage. Bavi also caused at least 17 fatalities in the Philippines due to mudslides. In Japan's Sakishima Islands, five people were injured and thousands lost power. Taiwan experienced heavy rainfall reaching up to one meter, leading to thousands of evacuations amid landslide fears, though no casualties were reported. The region remains on high alert for flooding and further storm-related damage as recovery efforts from the previous typhoon continue.