In brief
Typhoon Bavi, stretching 1,000 km at its widest, is set to batter Taiwan with up to 1m of rain and strike southeastern China Saturday. In the Philippines, deadly landslides have already killed 15 people. Governments have cancelled flights, stocked supplies and mobilised soldiers to help with relief. Taiwan warns of an almost 39‑inch downpour, while China and Japan are on high alert for floods and wind damage. The storm’s impact could rival the historic typhoon of 1987, making preparations critical across the region.
East Asia braces for Typhoon Bavi after deadly landslides in the Philippines
Landslides triggered by a powerful storm have killed at least 15 people in the southern Philippines. Meanwhile, Typhoon Bavi—about the width of France—shakes the Pacific, heading toward Taiwan, Japan and southeast China.
What the storm can bring
Taiwan could see up to 1m (39 inches) of rain, while the storm is expected to hit Taiwan’s north and east, then Japan’s remote islands, and finally southeastern China on Saturday.
Regional actions so far
- Dozens of flights cancelled; Taiwanese schools suspended classes.
- Soldiers stand by: 29,000 troops ready for relief in Taiwan.
- Farmers harvest or protect crops; fishermen secure vessels.
- China warns of significant impact in Fujian and warns northern provinces to strengthen preparations.
- Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways cancel up to 260 flights, affecting ~40,000 passengers.
- Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines ground flights to/from Taipei.
"Don't be fooled by the calm now. A storm like this can be terrifying," says 60‑year‑old fisherman Chen Ming‑hui.
In Mindanao, families have been buried by overnight landslides, and rescuers are still searching for missing persons. Authorities warn of moderate to heavy rains continuing over the weekend, adding to the region's disaster preparedness efforts.
Looking ahead
Some forecasts suggest Bavi could land twice in China, a scenario that would amplify damage and complicate emergency responses. Residents in flood‑prone areas have been handed thousands of sandbags to secure homes and businesses.
The storm’s sheer size and energy have made it one of the most destructive in decades, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated evacuation plans and climate‑resilience measures across East Asia.
