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China has evacuated more than 1.8 million people as Typhoon Bavi has moved toward the eastern city of Wenzhou, bringing heavy rain and strong winds after affecting Japan’s southern Sakishima island chain and passing near northern Taiwan.
Authorities in Zhejiang province, where Wenzhou is located, have relocated more than 1.7 million residents, while neighbouring Fujian province has evacuated more than 100,000 people as officials prepare for the storm’s expected landfall.
The National Meteorological Centre has reported that Bavi has maintained maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometres per hour, placing it at Category 1 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The storm is positioned about 200 kilometres southeast of Wenling in Zhejiang province and is expected to reach areas around Wenzhou, a city with a population of about 10 million.
Although Bavi has weakened as it moved over cooler waters, forecasters have warned that it remains dangerous because of the large amount of moisture carried within its rain bands, which stretch across an area comparable in size to France.
Residents in Wenzhou have prepared for the storm while relying on government measures. Huang Xinghuan, a 50-year-old resident, said he remained cautious but confident that preparations would help people cope.
“I’m a little worried, but I think it’ll be OK. We’ve been through typhoons before. We’ll get through it,” Huang said while shopping for groceries before markets closed.
He added that his family had stored enough water for several days but saw no reason to panic-buy. “Supplies are well guaranteed now. There’s no need to panic or stockpile a lot of food or other supplies,” he said.
Taiwan has also taken precautionary measures, evacuating more than 14,000 people from vulnerable mountainous areas and cancelling hundreds of flights as Bavi approached the region. Nearly all cities and counties declared typhoon holidays, closing schools and offices, while transport services operated with restrictions.
Although Taiwan avoided a direct hit, authorities reported 87 injuries, mainly linked to falls and weather-related accidents. In Taipei, some residents continued with daily activities despite strong winds and rain. Yeh Mao-hsiung, a 68-year-old resident, said conditions were manageable.
“It’s OK, it’s not that serious. It’s just a little bit more wind,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has reported 17 deaths from heavy rains linked to a strengthened southwest monsoon worsened by Bavi’s influence. Japan and Taiwan have not reported any deaths from the typhoon so far.
Officials across affected regions have continued monitoring Bavi as communities prepare for further rainfall and possible flooding.
