Typhoon Bavi made landfall in China's eastern province of Zhejiang late Saturday, bringing sustained winds of 144 kph (89 mph) near its center as authorities evacuated more than 1.7 million people across the region, according to state media reports. The storm previously passed north of Taiwan and had intensified monsoon rains that triggered deadly landslides in the southern Philippines.
The typhoon made landfall in the coastal city of Yuhuan in Zhejiang and was expected to move northwestward inland while gradually weakening in intensity. It marked the second typhoon to impact China in just over a week, following Maysak, which made landfall in southern China on July 3. Chinese authorities issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest level on a four-tier system, and also issued the first red alert for rainstorms of the year.
What the Right Is Saying
Chinese government officials highlighted the effectiveness of their coordinated disaster response system, pointing to the rapid mobilization of more than 17,000 emergency rescue workers across Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. State media emphasized that authorities had allocated 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in central natural disaster relief funds before the storm made landfall.
Local officials in affected regions stressed the importance of residents heeding evacuation orders. Government spokespeople noted that school closures, ferry service suspensions, and high-speed railway halts demonstrated proactive measures taken to protect public safety. Provincial authorities credited years of investment in flood barriers and emergency shelter infrastructure with improving response capabilities.
What the Left Is Saying
Humanitarian aid organizations emphasized the importance of mass evacuation efforts in minimizing casualties from major storms. Climate researchers noted that warmer ocean temperatures associated with climate change can intensify tropical storms, making evacuation protocols increasingly critical. The Red Cross called for continued vigilance as the storm moved inland, warning that flooding posed ongoing risks to communities along Bavi's projected path.
Environmental advocates argued that rising sea surface temperatures were contributing to more powerful typhoons striking East Asia in recent decades. They pointed to patterns of increasing storm intensity as a reason for sustained investment in emergency infrastructure and evacuation systems capable of protecting large populations on short notice.
What the Numbers Show
Chinese authorities evacuated more than 1.7 million people from Zhejiang province as of Saturday morning, according to Xinhua News Agency. Shanghai relocated approximately 34,000 residents from high-risk areas by Saturday noon. In Fujian province's Ningde city, over 3,700 people were moved from vulnerable coastal zones.
In Taiwan, authorities reported at least 113 injuries related to Typhoon Bavi as of Saturday at 7 p.m., with more than 14,200 people evacuated around the island. Schools and offices in most parts of Taiwan suspended operations for the day.
In the Philippines, at least 17 people were killed by landslides triggered by monsoon rains that Bavi intensified before moving toward Taiwan. Approximately 11,000 villagers moved to 77 emergency shelters in southern Philippine provinces. In Japan's Okinawa prefecture, more than 200 flights were canceled due to the storm's impact on southern islands.
The Bottom Line
Typhoon Bavi represents the second major storm system to affect China within two weeks, following Maysak's landfall on July 3. The back-to-back storms tested emergency response systems across multiple provinces and highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in coastal regions prone to typhoon impacts.
Authorities in China, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines all enacted evacuation protocols and emergency measures as Bavi passed through the region. The storm caused significant disruption to transportation networks, with hundreds of flights canceled and rail services suspended. As Bavi moves inland, meteorologists expect gradual weakening, though heavy rainfall continues to pose flood risks for communities along its path.