Even before communities devastated by Typhoon Maysak have had time to recover, another powerful storm is threatening East Asia. Typhoon Bavi, packing winds of nearly 200 km/h, is expected to brush northern Taiwan before making landfall along China’s eastern coast this weekend, prompting emergency preparations across Taiwan, China and parts of Japan.
Chinese forecasters expect Bavi to strike Fujian province on Saturday after moving past Taiwan, while authorities on the island have warned residents to prepare for what could be one of the strongest storms to affect the region in decades.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, Bavi is forecast to become the largest typhoon by size to impact the island since 1987. At its widest, the storm spans nearly 1,000 kilometres—roughly the width of France.
Meteorologists say that although Bavi may lose some strength before landfall, it remains an exceptionally dangerous system capable of producing destructive winds, torrential rain and widespread flooding.
Fresh Threat After Deadly Floods
The latest storm comes just days after Typhoon Maysak swept across southern China, leaving a trail of destruction in Guangxi.
Chinese authorities said 39 people have been confirmed dead, while nine others remain missing as rescue teams continue searching through flood-hit communities.
Entire neighbourhoods were submerged after record rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides. Thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes, while roads, bridges and power infrastructure suffered extensive damage.
State media showed emergency workers rescuing stranded families from upper floors of flooded buildings and using drones to deliver food and essential supplies to isolated villages that remained inaccessible by road.
The floods also caused heavy agricultural losses. Local reports said hundreds of livestock died after being trapped by rising waters, while floodwaters inundated a zoo in Guigang, killing three lions and allowing more than 100 animals to escape.
Emergency Preparations Intensify
Across Taiwan, authorities have stepped up disaster preparedness as Bavi approaches.
In the northeastern fishing town of Suao, fishing vessels crowded local harbours seeking shelter from rough seas, while residents collected sandbags to protect homes from flooding. Farmers also rushed to harvest crops before heavy rain arrives.
“We hope the storm changes course,” local fishing boat captain Chen Ming-hui told Reuters. “Everything looks calm now, but storms like this can become extremely dangerous.”
Japan has also begun preparing for Bavi’s arrival.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned residents in Okinawa Prefecture to expect violent winds, storm surges, flooding and landslides over the coming days.
Major airlines have already cancelled dozens of flights, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers as the storm moves closer.
Climate Concerns Grow
Scientists say increasingly warm ocean temperatures are helping tropical cyclones become more intense, raising concerns about stronger storms across the western Pacific.
Experts also warn that the expected development of El Niño this year could further increase the frequency and intensity of typhoons.
Xiangbo Feng, a tropical cyclone researcher at Imperial College London, said Bavi had spent an unusually long period over warm Pacific waters, allowing it to gather enormous amounts of energy and moisture.
He cautioned that even a slight shift in the storm’s track could dramatically change where the worst impacts are felt.
With recovery efforts from Maysak still underway, authorities across Taiwan, eastern China and southern Japan are now racing to prepare for yet another potentially devastating storm, fearing that Bavi could compound the destruction already left behind by this week’s deadly floods.
(with inputs from Reuters)
