Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in China: Over 1 Million Evacuated

Typhoon Bavi made landfall in China's eastern Zhejiang province late Saturday night and is expected to gradually weaken, according to China's National Meteorological Centre. The typhoon previously brought strong winds and rain to Japan's southern islands and Taiwan. It was the second typhoon to impact China in just over a week, following Typhoon Maysak on July 3.

Chinese authorities evacuated more than 1.7 million people as of Saturday and issued high alerts. Bavi had maximum sustained winds of 144 kph near its center. After passing north of Taiwan and making landfall in the coastal city of Yuhuan in Zhejiang, Bavi is expected to move northwestward inland.

In the Philippines, at least 17 people were killed, mostly due to landslides triggered by seasonal monsoon rains intensified by Bavi. A landslide hit a village in Malapatan town in Sarangani province before dawn Friday, killing 10 villagers and leaving three missing. Another landslide in Calanogas town in Lanao del Sur province killed five, with six missing. Two people drowned in floodwaters in Bukidnon province.

In Taiwan, authorities reported at least 113 injuries from Bavi, some from motorcycle accidents on slippery roads. More than 14,200 people were evacuated, especially from Hualien county and Taichung city. Schools and offices were suspended across most of Taiwan on Saturday. In Japan's Okinawa prefecture, authorities warned of high waves and strong winds, with over 200 flights cancelled.

China's weather centre issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest level, with many schools and ferry services suspended. Hundreds of flights and some high-speed railway services were halted. The centre also issued the first red alert for rainstorms of the year. Chinese authorities allocated 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) for disaster relief in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.