A powerful and expansive Typhoon Bavi has made landfall in China, prompting the evacuation of nearly two million residents in its path. This marks the second significant storm to impact the country within a week, as local authorities act to mitigate potential disaster following the storm’s devastating trajectory through the Pacific.
Typhoon’s Path and Impact
Typhoon Bavi, which measures approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) at its widest point—comparable to the width of France—first struck the coastal city of Taizhou on Saturday evening before making a second landfall in Wenzhou around midnight on Sunday (17:00 GMT). The storm initially wreaked havoc on a series of remote Japanese islands, subsequently unleashing heavy rainfall across northern Taiwan. In the Philippines, landslides triggered by the storm have resulted in at least 17 fatalities.
Despite its weakening from a super typhoon to a severe tropical storm, Bavi continues to pose a significant risk due to the substantial moisture contained within its rain bands. As of Sunday morning, the storm’s centre had reached Hangzhou City in Zhejiang province, with predictions indicating its movement towards eastern Anhui on Monday and into the northern Yellow Sea by Tuesday.
Mass Evacuations and Disruptions
State media reports indicate that over 1.7 million individuals have been evacuated in Zhejiang province alone, with thousands more fleeing from neighbouring regions. In response to the impending storm, authorities have suspended educational, work, and outdoor activities across Zhejiang, leading to the cancellation of 400 flights and numerous train services. Wenzhou, a city with a population of approximately 10 million, has seen the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. Local resident Li Liangxing shared his concern, stating, “We could hear roof tiles and tree branches falling; of course we were scared.”
In a precautionary move, Beijing has mandated the evacuation of 100,000 individuals deemed at risk from the storm.
The Storm’s Journey
Bavi began its journey as a super typhoon with wind speeds reaching 290 km/h (180 mph), causing significant damage in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands last Monday. As it traversed the Pacific, it lost some intensity, with winds dropping to 144 km/h before impacting Japan’s Sakishima islands. Reports indicate at least five injuries and widespread power outages across the region. Although Taiwan escaped a direct hit, heavy rainfall prompted mass evacuations and heightened concerns regarding landslides. Authorities in Taiwan cautioned that Bavi could deliver up to one metre (39 inches) of rainfall, leading to widespread disruption, including flight cancellations and school closures.
Previous Storms and Continuing Threats
The recent impact of Typhoon Maysak, which occurred earlier in the week, has left parts of southern China grappling with its aftermath. Maysak has been linked to at least 39 deaths and significant agricultural losses due to livestock fatalities, in addition to resulting in rare tornadoes in Hubei province.
Why it Matters
The rapid succession of severe weather events, epitomised by Typhoon Bavi and its predecessor Maysak, underscores the escalating challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather systems. The extensive evacuations and infrastructural disruptions highlight the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure in the face of a future marked by unpredictable natural disasters. As communities strive to recover, the human and economic toll of these storms serves as a stark reminder of our vulnerability to climate-related crises.