Nearly two million people have been evacuated as Typhoon Bavi made landfall in eastern China,marking the second significant storm to impact the country in just a week. The typhoon, which initially struck the coastal city of Taizhou on Saturday evening, later made a second landfall in Wenzhou around midnight local time,according to state media reports.
Spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) at its widest point, Bavi has caused widespread disruption. In Zhejiang province, where storm's impact was most severe, authorities reported the evacuation of over 1.7 million residents. Schools,workplaces,and outdoor activities have been suspended across the region,with transport services severely affected. More than 400 flights and numerous train services were canceled as the storm approached.
The city of Wenzhou, home to around 10 million people, is particularly vulnerable, prompting local officials to evacuate hundreds of thousands of residents. "We could hear roof tiles and tree branches falling," said Li Liangxing,a Wenzhou resident,expressing the fear felt by many. In response to the impending threat,Beijing ordered evacuation of an additional 100,000 people to mitigate risks.
Typhoon Bavi,which began as a super typhoon with wind speeds reaching 290 km/h (180 mph), previously battered Guam and Northern Mariana Islands before weakening to a severe tropical storm. As it moved through Pacific, it struck Sakishima islands in Japan's Ryukyu chain,injuring at least five individuals and leaving thousands without power.
While Taiwan was spared direct hit,heavy rainfall led to evacuations and heightened landslide risks . Taiwanese authorities had warned that Bavi could unleash up to 1 meter (39 inches) of rain,prompting widespread cancellations of flights and school closures. Residents rushed to supermarkets to stock up on supplies,clearing shelves in anticipation of the storm.
As Bavi continues its path,it is expected to weaken further. By Sunday morning, the storm's center had reached Hangzhou City in Zhejiang province,with forecasts indicating it would move towards eastern Anhui on Monday and eventually to the northern Yellow Sea from the Shandong Peninsula by Tuesday.
The devastation from Bavi follows closely on heels of Typhoon Maysak,which struck earlier in week,resulting in at least 39 fatalities and extensive agricultural losses across southern China. Maysak also triggered two rare tornadoes in central Hubei province,compounding the challenges faced by local authorities.
As region braces for the aftermath of Bavi, the focus remains on recovery efforts and ensuring the safety of those affected. The impact of these storms highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events in the region,raising concerns about climate change and disaster preparedness.
