On July 9, 2026, Taiwan's weather forecasters issued a warning about the impending arrival of Typhoon Bavi, predicting "destructive" winds that could cause significant damage across the island. The storm is expected to impact northern regions, including the port city of Keelung and Yilan County, on Friday and Saturday.
Typhoon Bavi Approaches Taiwan
Typhoon Bavi, which recently struck U.S. Pacific territories, has intensified as it travels across the Pacific Ocean. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported maximum sustained winds of 184 kilometers per hour (114 miles per hour) and gusts reaching 227 kilometers per hour. The storm is classified as the largest to hit Taiwan since 1995.
Forecaster Jason Cheng cautioned that the impact will be most severe in northern areas, warning that even regions far from the storm's center should remain vigilant. Most ferry routes to outer islands have been suspended, and the coast guard has advised the public to stay away from coastal areas.
Impact on Local Communities
Residents in affected regions are taking precautions ahead of the storm. In Keelung, fishermen are securing their boats as they express concern over the storm's size. Tung Wan-tsai, a local fishing boat owner, stated, "It's too big. Even if it doesn't make direct landfall, its radius of gale-force winds is simply too massive."
