Typhoon Bavi Triggers Evacuations Across Taiwan and China as Storm Sweeps Toward East Coast

Typhoon Bavi brought heavy rain and powerful winds to Japan’s southern islands on Saturday as Taiwan and eastern China stepped up emergency preparations, evacuating thousands of residents and suspending transport services ahead of the storm’s expected landfall.

The powerful typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometres per hour (89 mph) near its centre, was forecast to move north of Taiwan before heading toward China’s eastern coastline. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said the storm was expected to continue toward Zhejiang province, while China’s National Meteorological Center forecast landfall during the early hours of Sunday.

In Japan, the storm affected the Okinawa prefecture, where authorities warned residents about dangerous waves, strong winds and possible storm surges. Islands including Ishigaki experienced heavy rainfall and gusty conditions as Typhoon Bavi moved through the region.

The severe weather disrupted travel across Okinawa, with Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reporting that more than 200 flights had been cancelled. Local officials urged residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal areas because of hazardous sea conditions.

Taiwan also faced widespread disruption as the storm passed close to the island. The Central Emergency Operation Center reported that at least 36 people had been injured by Saturday morning. Many of the injuries involved motorcyclists who lost control on rain-soaked roads amid strong winds.

Authorities evacuated 14,210 residents from vulnerable areas, including communities in the eastern county of Hualien and the central city of Taichung. Schools and government offices across most parts of Taiwan remained closed as officials sought to minimise the risk to public safety.

Emergency crews continued monitoring rivers, mountain regions and low-lying coastal communities where flooding and landslides remained a concern. Residents were advised to follow official weather updates and evacuation instructions as conditions changed.

On the Chinese mainland, coastal provinces intensified preparations before the typhoon’s expected arrival. In Fujian province, officials relocated more than 3,700 people from high-risk areas in the city of Ningde by Friday evening, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Provincial authorities also placed more than 17,000 emergency rescue workers on standby to respond to possible flooding, landslides and storm damage.

China’s National Meteorological Center issued an orange typhoon alert, the country’s second-highest warning level, as authorities suspended classes, ferry services and parts of the transportation network. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, while several high-speed rail services were temporarily halted because of the approaching storm.

The weather agency also issued its first red rainstorm alert of the year on Saturday, signalling an increased risk of severe flooding in affected regions.

Officials across Japan, Taiwan and China continued urging residents to stay alert as Typhoon Bavi moved across the western Pacific, warning that dangerous weather conditions could persist even after the storm makes landfall.