Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall on Sunday, battering Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands with winds reaching nearly 290 km/h (180 mph) and gusts up to 350 km/h. According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), the storm poses a serious threat, with waves potentially reaching 11 meters (35 feet) high.
Evacuations and Preparations in Guam
Residents in Guam, a popular tourist destination with a population of about 170,000, are taking shelter as the storm approaches. The local civil defense office reported that evacuation centers have been opened in schools, with a maximum capacity of around 1,700 people, primarily for vulnerable individuals. One evacuation site reached capacity by Sunday afternoon, prompting officials to redirect evacuees to other locations.
Authorities have urged residents to prepare for “destructive winds.” The mayor’s office in Rota, the southernmost inhabited island, warned that conditions would deteriorate rapidly, making it unsafe to be outdoors. “We are hanging in there. We are experiencing heavy winds and flooding,” said a spokesperson for Rota's mayor.
Impact on Infrastructure and Residents
On Saipan, wind gusts exceeded 161 km/h (100 mph) at the airport, leaving many residents without power following the last super typhoon, Sinlaku, in April. This earlier storm resulted in 17 fatalities and approximately $1.5 billion in damages across the region. Residents are concerned about the potential for further destruction as Bavi continues its path.
- Wind Speed: 290 km/h (180 mph)
- Gusts: Up to 350 km/h
- Wave Height: Possible 11 meters (35 feet)
- Evacuation Centers Capacity: 1,700
- Previous Typhoon Sinlaku: Caused $1.5 billion in damage
Climate Change and Increasing Typhoon Intensity
Scientists highlight that climate change is contributing to the increasing frequency of powerful typhoons in the region. Bavi is the 11th category four or five tropical cyclone to hit US territory in the past decade, surpassing the total recorded in the previous 57 years. A strong El Niño event is expected to further enhance storm intensity due to warmer sea surface temperatures.
As residents brace for Bavi, many are taking last-minute precautions. Pinky Cubacub, 55, shared her concerns while boarding up her restaurant, stating, “I cannot afford to lose so many days. It hurts.” Tourists, including Miku Sakurai, 25, have faced canceled flights, with some choosing to shelter in hotels during the storm.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC World. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
