Nearly two million people have been evacuated as Typhoon Bavi made two landfalls in eastern China after leaving a trail of destruction across Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Typhoon Bavi has struck eastern China, becoming the second typhoon to make landfall in the country within a week and forcing the evacuation of nearly two million residents from vulnerable coastal areas.
The powerful storm first made landfall in Taizhou on Saturday evening before making a second landfall near Wenzhou around midnight.
Spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) at its widest point, Typhoon Bavi brought destructive winds and torrential rain to large parts of eastern China after affecting neighboring countries.
Millions Evacuated as Heavy Rain Threatens Flooding
Chinese authorities ordered the evacuation of nearly two million people ahead of the storm, citing concerns over severe flooding, landslides and widespread infrastructure damage.
Officials said the precautionary evacuations were carried out to prepare for the worst-case scenario as Bavi approached the country’s eastern coastline.
Although the typhoon has weakened into a severe tropical storm, meteorologists warned it continues to pose a significant threat due to the enormous amount of moisture contained within its rain bands.
Storm Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Asia
Before reaching China, Typhoon Bavi battered a chain of remote Japanese islands and brought heavy rainfall to Taiwan after passing close to the island’s northern coast.
In the Philippines, landslides triggered by the storm killed at least 17 people, highlighting the widespread impact of the powerful weather system across the region.
Heavy Rain Expected to Continue
China’s meteorological authorities forecast exceptionally heavy rainfall across Zhejiang and Fujian provinces as the storm continues moving northwest.
While Typhoon Bavi is expected to gradually weaken over the coming days, officials remain on high alert for flash floods, landslides and river overflows in affected regions. Emergency response teams have been deployed to monitor the storm’s progress and assist communities impacted by the severe weather.
