China Severe Weather: Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in Zhejiang After 1.7 Million Evacuated

China severe weather from Typhoon Bavi brought strong winds to eastern China late Saturday after authorities evacuated nearly 1.72 million people from its path. [1] The storm made landfall with winds up to 144 km/h, following earlier extreme weather that had already caused significant disruption across the region.

Landfall in Zhejiang

Typhoon Bavi made landfall at around 11:20 pm local time Saturday in Zhejiang province. [1] The typhoon first came ashore in Yuhuan city and packed winds swirling at up to 144 kilometres per hour. [2] Bavi then made a second landfall about 20 minutes later in Yueqing City before moving northwest while weakening. [2] The storm was expected to keep moving to the northwest while weakening, according to Xinhua. [1]

Mass Evacuations Across Eastern China

As of Saturday morning, authorities had evacuated 1.72 million people to safe places in Zhejiang. [1] More than 130,000 people have fled their homes in Fujian and around 34,000 people from Shanghai's coastal areas and high-risk areas. [1] Torrential rain further north prompted the evacuation of more than 100,000 people from their homes in Beijing, as water discharge flows from the capital's Miyun Reservoir were ramped up. [1] Ahead of the storm's arrival, classes, work, transport and outdoor activities were suspended in Zhejiang. [2] Residents used wood to reinforce metal shutters protecting shops and taped windows, with Bavi forecast to bring exceptionally heavy rains to eastern Zhejiang and northeastern Fujian province. [1]

Prior Extreme Weather Toll

Extreme weather has already wreaked havoc on southern and central China this week, with storms leaving at least 39 dead and causing dozens of rivers to overflow and a reservoir dam to burst. [1] These conditions set the stage for additional challenges as Bavi approached the coast.

Government Alerts and Relief Funds

China's weather centre issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest on a four-tier level. [3] The centre on Saturday also issued the first red alert for rainstorms of the year. [3] Chinese authorities said Saturday they have allocated 40 million yuan in central natural disaster relief funds to support Zhejiang and Fujian provinces' typhoon prevention and emergency rescue and relief efforts. [3] More than 400 flights and dozens of train services were cancelled in the province. [2]

Impact on Taiwan and Japan

Before reaching China, the storm lashed northern Taiwan and Japan's remote southwestern islands, toppling trees and leaving tens of thousands without power. [1] Streets were largely deserted in northern Taiwan, where most businesses were shut for a second day as wind and rain buffeted the region. [1] More than 14,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, hundreds of flights cancelled and more than 170,000 households across the island hit with power outages because of the storm. [1] Taiwan's Central Weather Administration warned of extremely torrential rain across northern Taiwan and dangerous waves of up to 10 metres along the coast as Bavi skirted the island's north. [1] Thousands of households and facilities across Okinawa lost power as the typhoon pounded Japan's remote southwestern islands, with the Miyako region hardest hit. [1] Japanese airlines cancelled dozens of flights, affecting more than 26,000 passengers. [1]

Philippines Landslides and Broader Climate Context

In the Philippines, the death toll from landslides and other incidents triggered by heavy rains driven by Bavi rose to 18, most on the southern island of Mindanao. [1] Nearly 11,000 people across the archipelago fled their homes and dozens of ports remain closed, with 313 vessels taking shelter. [1] Oceans experienced their hottest June on record and could set fresh highs in the months ahead, the European Union's Copernicus Marine Service said last week. [1] Warmer oceans help tropical storms to intensify and add more moisture, which can fall as heavy rain. [1] Adding to the mix is the return this year of El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon that warms Pacific Ocean surface temperatures and typically occurs every two to seven years. [1]

What to watch next: Bavi is expected to keep moving to the northwest while weakening, with authorities in affected areas continuing to monitor for potential flash floods, transportation disruptions and overflowing rivers in coastal regions. [2]