BEIJING (AP) – Typhoon Bavi, which recently made landfall in eastern China's Zhejiang province, has weakened to a severe tropical storm while still affecting the region with strong winds and heavy rainfall. On Sunday morning, the storm had maximum sustained winds of approximately 101 kph (63 mph) near its center, as reported by China's national weather center. The storm is predicted to continue moving in a northwest direction across eastern China.
On Saturday, Typhoon Bavi passed north of Taiwan without making direct landfall. Despite this, the typhoon still caused significant disruptions on the island, with Taiwan's fire department reporting at least 134 injuries by 7 a.m. on Sunday. Many of the injuries occurred when individuals were riding motorcycles or bicycles, as they were caught off guard by the powerful winds and hazardous road conditions.
Authorities have issued warnings for strong winds and heavy rain, with impacts expected in numerous eastern Chinese cities throughout Sunday. In anticipation of the storm’s effects, Shanghai has taken extensive precautionary measures, evacuating over 290,000 residents from vulnerable areas. Additionally, Zhejiang province had approximately 2.2 million residents evacuated, while Fujian province also took action by evacuating over 180,000 individuals.
As Bavi continues to affect air travel, Shanghai's Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport announced the cancellation of around 653 flights, both inbound and outbound, according to reports from the official Xinhua News Agency. The heavy rains and winds have already led to significant infrastructure damage in municipalities close to the storm's path.
In the coastal city of Yueqing, located in Zhejiang province, over 1,300 trees were reported to be downed, including at least 700 trees that were uprooted. This kind of damage reflects the severity of the storm’s impact as it moved through the region.
The situation remains dynamic, with emergency services and local authorities on alert for further developments as Typhoon Bavi progresses across eastern China. The storm has had widespread ramifications affecting both human health and infrastructure, prompting a significant response aimed at ensuring the safety of residents in the face of adverse weather conditions.
