Typhoon Bavi Evacuations
China Evacuates Over 1.8 Million as Weakening Typhoon Bavi Nears Eastern Coast
Anonymous
Key Points
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Taiwan canceled 920 international flights, effectively shutting down Taoyuan International Airport during the approach of Typhoon Bavi.
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In Zhejiang province, state media reported more than 1.7 million people evacuated, with more than 100,000 evacuated in Fujian province.
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Bavi’s maximum sustained winds reached 144 km/h, and the storm was about 200 km southeast of Wenling, Zhejiang, as of 0808 GMT.
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The typhoon pummelled Japan’s southern Sakishima island chain with heavy rain and violent winds before moving toward China.
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The Philippines reported 17 fatalities due to heavy rains associated with an enhanced southwest monsoon worsened by Bavi.
China has evacuated more than 1.8 million people as Typhoon Bavi bore down on Wenzhou, a major city on the country's eastern coast. Yahoo News reported that the storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 144 km/h, was moving northwest and was roughly 200 km southeast of Wenling, Zhejiang, as of early Thursday.
Even as Bavi weakened slightly over cooler seas, meteorologists warned the storm remained dangerous. Its moisture field was described as roughly the size of France, keeping the threat of heavy flooding very real for millions of people across the region.
1.8 Million Flee as Zhejiang and Fujian Empty Out
State media reported more than 1.7 million people were evacuated in Zhejiang province alone. Another 100,000 people were moved out of Fujian province to the south. Forth News noted that these were among the largest single-storm evacuations in recent Chinese history.
Authorities urged residents in Wenzhou and nearby areas to stay calm and stock essential supplies. Officials warned of dangerous winds, heavy rain, and possible flooding. Residents were told not to return home until the storm fully passed.
Taiwan Shuts Down Taoyuan Airport, Schools Close Across Island
Taiwan took sweeping action as Bavi approached. Authorities canceled 920 international flights, effectively shutting down Taoyuan International Airport. Schools across the island closed, and evacuations were ordered for people living in mountainous areas most at risk of landslides.
Officials warned of heavy rainfall and major travel disruptions. Taiwan reported 87 people injured as the storm passed. Japan's southern Sakishima island chain was hit with violent winds and heavy rain before the storm turned toward China, though Japan reported no deaths.
Philippines Reports 17 Dead as Bavi Fuels Deadly Monsoon
The typhoon's reach extended far beyond China and Taiwan. In the Philippines, 17 people died due to heavy rains linked to an enhanced southwest monsoon made worse by Bavi. WHTC reported that the storm amplified an already active weather system across the region.
The Philippines deaths were not directly from Bavi's winds. Instead, the typhoon pumped extra moisture into the monsoon. That combination drove unusually severe flooding and landslides across multiple provinces.
Storm Weakens but Meteorologists Urge Continued Caution
Bavi slowed and weakened as it moved over cooler water near China's coast. But experts said the storm's massive size kept it dangerous. Its moisture field, described as roughly the size of France, meant heavy rain could continue well after the strongest winds passed.
WTVB reported that Chinese officials continued to urge caution even as some residents expressed cautious optimism. Landfall was forecast near Wenzhou in Zhejiang province. Authorities said they would assess damage and allow people to return home only once conditions were confirmed safe.
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