Storm Hits Japan's Southern Islands
Typhoon Bavi has brought strong winds and rain to Japan's southern islands, with local authorities in Okinawa prefecture warning of high waves, strong winds, and storm surges. According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK, more than 200 flights have been canceled across the region. The storm has affected islands including Ishigaki, where strong winds and rain have been reported.
Taiwan Braces for Impact
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration reported that Typhoon Bavi has maximum sustained winds of 144 kph (89 mph) near its center. The storm is forecast to pass north of Taiwan on Saturday. As of Saturday at 8 a.m., Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Center registered at least 36 injuries from the typhoon, many sustained while riding motorcycles in rain and winds on slippery roads. A total of 14,210 people had been evacuated around the island as of Saturday morning, including from the eastern county of Hualien and the central city of Taichung. Schools and offices in most parts of Taiwan were suspended Saturday.
China on High Alert
Typhoon Bavi is expected to move toward Zhejiang in eastern China and, according to China's National Meteorological Center, make landfall in the early hours of Sunday. In southeastern China, cities near the coast are preparing for the impacts. In the city of Ningde in Fujian province, more than 3,700 people were relocated from high-risk onshore areas as of Friday evening, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Authorities in Fujian province have placed over 17,000 emergency rescue workers on standby. China's National Meteorological Center issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest on a four-tier level, with many schools and ferry services suspended. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, and some high-speed railway services halted. The center also issued Saturday the first red alert for rainstorms of the year, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
