A ferocious typhoon has once again made landfall in China, marking the second such weather event to hit the nation within a week. Typhoon Bavi, which has prompted the evacuation of nearly two million residents from its projected path, first impacted the coastal city of Taizhou on Saturday evening before making a second landfall in Wenzhou around midnight (17:00 GMT). The storm follows closely on the heels of Typhoon Maysak, which had already left a trail of destruction earlier in the week.
A Powerful Force
Typhoon Bavi, measuring an impressive 1,000 kilometres (approximately 620 miles) at its widest, initially struck the Western Pacific islands, including Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, with wind speeds reaching 290 km/h (180 mph). After weakening to a Category 1 typhoon, Bavi maintained significant moisture levels, leading to warnings of “exceptionally heavy rains” across eastern Zhejiang province and northeastern Fujian province.
As local authorities prepared for the worst, evacuations were carried out in an attempt to mitigate potential casualties. Over 1.7 million people in Zhejiang were displaced, with additional evacuations in neighbouring provinces. Schools, workplaces, and outdoor activities have been halted, while approximately 400 flights and numerous train services have been cancelled.
Impact on Taiwan and Japan
Bavi’s trajectory also saw it brush past Taiwan, where authorities had cautioned residents about the possibility of up to one metre (39 inches) of rainfall. Although Taiwan did not experience a direct hit, thousands were compelled to evacuate, and the threat of landslides loomed large due to heavy precipitation in the region. Reports indicate that several flights were cancelled and schools suspended as residents rushed to stock up on essentials, depleting supermarket shelves.
In Japan, the typhoon struck the Sakishima islands, causing injuries to at least five individuals and leaving thousands without power. Thankfully, there have been no reported fatalities in either Taiwan or Japan, although the storm’s impacts were felt acutely in these regions.
Previous Devastation
The havoc wrought by Typhoon Maysak earlier in the week is still fresh in memory, as southern China continues to recover from its effects. Maysak resulted in at least 39 confirmed deaths and devastating losses in agriculture, including the death of numerous livestock. The storm also generated two rare tornadoes in Hubei province, adding to the chaos.
The overlapping impact of these storms underscores the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change. With so many people displaced and infrastructure damaged, the recovery process will likely be long and arduous.
Why it Matters
The occurrence of Typhoon Bavi, coming just days after Maysak, highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events in the Asia-Pacific region. As the climate crisis escalates, communities must brace for more frequent natural disasters, prompting urgent discussions around preparedness and resilience. The challenges posed by such storms not only threaten lives and livelihoods but also strain resources and infrastructure, necessitating a coordinated response from governments and humanitarian organisations alike.