Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in Eastern China's Taizhou After Massive Evacuations

Typhoon Bavi made landfall late Saturday in the coastal city of Taizhou in eastern China, leading to the evacuation of nearly 2 million people. The typhoon had previously impacted Japan's southern Sakishima island chain and skirted northern Taiwan.

Despite Bavi's gradual weakening and slowing northwesterly path, it continues to pose a significant threat due to the immense volume of moisture within its extensive rain bands, which stretch across a distance comparable to the size of France.

According to the National Meteorological Center, Bavi made landfall around 11:20 p.m. local time (1520 GMT) with maximum sustained winds of approximately 144 km per hour (90 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

State media reported that over 1.7 million people were evacuated from Zhejiang province, where Taizhou is located. Neighboring Fujian province and Beijing also saw over 100,000 evacuations each, with an additional 34,000 people evacuated from Shanghai.

A Wenzhou resident, Huang Xinghuan, 50, expressed a mix of concern and confidence, stating, "I'm a little worried, but I think it'll be OK. We've been through typhoons before. We'll get through it." He noted that his family had stocked sufficient water and other supplies, advising against panic buying.

While Japan and Taiwan have reported no typhoon-related fatalities, 17 people died in the Philippines due to heavy rains associated with an enhanced southwest monsoon, exacerbated by Bavi's influence.

In Taiwan, the fire department reported 113 injuries, primarily from falls resulting from strong winds affecting motorcycles and bicycles, or from being struck by falling objects.

Taiwan Spared the Worst of Bavi

The Taiwanese government had evacuated over 14,000 people, mainly from mountainous regions, and implemented significant shutdowns in anticipation of Bavi's approach. Despite not making landfall, the island took extensive precautions to prevent loss of life, especially with forecasts predicting up to 1 meter (3 feet) of rain in some areas.

The majority of evacuations occurred in the northern and eastern parts of the island. Over 920 international flights were canceled, effectively shutting down Taiwan's main international airport at Taoyuan, near the capital Taipei. All 282 domestic flights were also canceled.

Most cities and counties across Taiwan declared a typhoon holiday, closing offices and schools. However, some establishments like restaurants and convenience stores in Taipei remained open. The main north-south high-speed rail line operated with reduced service.

Residents in Taipei experienced blustery winds and rain, though some, like Yeh Mao-hsiung, 68, remained unfazed during a morning walk with his dog, describing it as "just a little bit more wind." Conversely, in Taipei's Beitou neighborhood, gusts of around 100 kph downed trees and caused rivers to swell.

In Wenzhou, Chen Qiuqin, in her 60s, was heading to her parents' home to help them prepare for the typhoon. She expressed less concern due to the government's preparedness but wanted to secure her parents' balcony and stay with them.