Typhoon Bavi causes mass evacuations in eastern China, impacting over 2 million residents

Typhoon Bavi made landfall in eastern China on Sunday, leading to the evacuation of nearly 2 million people as authorities prepared for severe flooding and destructive winds. The storm, which had weakened to a severe tropical storm, caused significant disruptions in transport and infrastructure.

Impact of Typhoon Bavi on Eastern China

Bavi first struck Zhejiang province around 11:20 pm on Saturday with winds reaching 144 km/h (90 mph), according to the provincial meteorological observatory. As reported by state news agency Xinhua, the storm's core impacted areas experienced fierce winds and heavy rain, resulting in rapid runoff that uprooted trees.

In Yuhuan, the storm caused extensive damage, prompting firefighters and rescue workers to clear over 1,300 fallen trees in Yueqing city. By 10 am on Sunday, the eye of the storm approached Hangzhou, with winds of around 108 km/h.

Evacuations and Preparations Ahead of Bavi

Prior to the storm's landfall, authorities evacuated approximately 1.72 million people to safety, with classes, work, and outdoor activities suspended across affected regions. More than 300 flights were canceled in Zhejiang province, and an additional 684 flights and 1,620 train services were halted in Shanghai.

• Evacuated individuals: 2 million
• Flights canceled: 300 (Zhejiang), 684 (Shanghai)
• Train services suspended: 1,620

Images shared online depicted streets in Wenzhou, a city of nearly 10 million people, submerged in floodwaters. The local government stated it was "sparing no effort or cost" to mitigate potential damage.

Broader Effects of Typhoon Bavi

As Typhoon Bavi moved across the Pacific, it caused devastation in other regions as well. In the Philippines, at least 18 people died due to landslides and heavy rains, prompting nearly 11,000 evacuations. Northern Taiwan also reported over 14,000 evacuations and significant power outages affecting more than 170,000 households.

The storm's influence extended to Japan, where thousands lost power across Okinawa. Experts attribute the intensification of tropical storms like Bavi to warmer ocean temperatures, exacerbated by the return of the El Niño phenomenon.