Super Typhoon Bavi, now downgraded but remaining dangerous, has led to the evacuation of more than 600,000 people in China as it moves toward the country. After impacting Japan’s Sakishima islands and passing near northern Taiwan, the typhoon is expected to affect eastern China.

Chinese authorities reported that over half a million residents were evacuated from Zhejiang province, with an additional 100,000 evacuated in neighboring Fujian province. In Ningde city, Fujian, more than 3,700 people were moved from high-risk onshore areas by Friday evening, according to Xinhua news agency.

In Taiwan, where the Central Weather Administration expects Bavi to pass on Saturday, at least 36 people have been injured, mainly due to motorcycle accidents on slippery roads amid heavy rain and winds.

Tornadoes associated with the typhoon have killed 17 people in central China. Meanwhile, residents like Huang Xinghuan, a 50-year-old from Wenzhou, expressed cautious optimism, telling Reuters, “I’m a little worried, but I think it’ll be OK,” as preparations continued.

The typhoon's approach coincides with record-breaking heatwaves in Western Europe and extreme weather events disrupting celebrations in the US.

Sources