Typhoon Bavi, the largest typhoon to threaten Taiwan in over 30 years, has already claimed at least 15 lives in the Philippines and forced more than 2,000 evacuations in Taiwan as it barrels toward the region. The storm, which was downgraded from a super typhoon after hitting Guam, is expected to pound Taiwan's north and east, Japan's remote southwestern islands, and eventually make landfall in eastern China over the weekend.
Landslides in the Philippines
Two landslides triggered by heavy rains from Typhoon Bavi killed at least 15 people and left six others missing on the Philippines' southern island of Mindanao, according to local authorities. The landslides occurred as the typhoon approached the region, bringing intense rainfall that destabilized hillsides.
Taiwan Braces for Impact
In Taiwan, more than 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes, primarily in the mountainous county of Hualien in the east, where authorities are monitoring two barrier dams. Locals in the port city of Keelung, expected to be one of the hardest-hit areas, stocked up on food, taped windows, and stacked sandbags along shop fronts, heeding warnings from authorities to take precautions.
"They're saying it's going to be huge; of course that's scary, right?" Keelung grocery store owner Chang Shih-huo, 76, told AFP. "We've stocked up on some instant noodles and bread and stuff like that. Once the wind and rain really start picking up, we'll have to close the shop."
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported that Bavi's maximum sustained wind speeds slowed to 155 kilometers (96 miles) per hour, with gusts of around 190 kilometers per hour, on Friday. CWA forecaster Wang Ping-hsiang told AFP, "The typhoon is likely to continue weakening because environmental conditions are not favorable. The greatest impact is expected in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Yilan, while the heaviest rainfall is forecast for mountainous areas in central and northern Taiwan."
Bavi's strong-wind radius of 380 kilometers makes it the largest typhoon to hit Taiwan in more than 30 years. Many schools and businesses were shuttered across northern and eastern Taiwan, and hundreds of flights were cancelled. In Keelung, locals flocked to a fresh food market to buy fruit and vegetables, street vendors secured their stands, and a temple covered and tied down an outdoor statue ahead of the storm.
"What you're seeing now is the most remarkable sight we haven't seen in 10 years," Keelung restaurant owner Penny Pan, 48, said as her husband placed sandbags at the entrance to their eatery. "In the past we never used sandbags to prepare for typhoons. But this time they're forecasting Force 10 gusts, so the captains and fishermen have all been saying we need to be better prepared."
Widespread Evacuations and Preparations
People were ordered to stay away from the shore as the typhoon whipped up waves up to nine meters (30 feet) high. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged people in areas likely to be most affected by Bavi to remain on "high alert." More than 28,000 troops, along with machinery, equipment, and vehicles, were on standby to respond to emergencies.
"We're worried," said Samuel Fu, who works in a noodle shop in the coastal district of Bali, in New Taipei City. "This is the first time we've experienced such a big typhoon... since we opened the shop," the 20-year-old told AFP.
Japan's Remote Islands Affected
On Japan's remote Sakishima islands, schools and offices were closed in some areas as the typhoon approached, with forecasters warning of high waves, storms, and landslides. "We've covered objects with nets so that they won't fly away... the storm is getting gradually stronger right now," Masaru Nakamura, who works at a hotel on Miyako island, told AFP.
On Okinawa, Koki Ohama said his water sports and barbecue business in the major city of Naha would suffer from the storm. "We were originally fully reserved this weekend, but bookings were all cancelled, so it's painful," the 30-year-old said.
China Braces for Landfall
After slamming into the Japanese islands and sweeping past Taiwan's northern tip, Bavi is expected to make landfall in eastern China over the weekend. Extreme weather has already wreaked havoc on southern and central China this week, with storms leaving at least 39 dead and causing dozens of rivers to overflow and a reservoir dam to burst.
Climate Context
Oceans experienced their hottest June on record and could set fresh highs in the months ahead, the European Union's Copernicus Marine Service said last week. Warmer oceans help tropical storms to intensify and add more moisture, which can fall as heavy rain. Adding to the mix is the return this year of El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon that warms Pacific surface temperatures and typically occurs every two to seven years.
