Typhoon Bavi Strikes Eastern China, Forces Evacuation of Over 2.8 Million Residents

Typhoon Bavi, the most powerful storm to impact mainland China this year, made landfall on Saturday night, unleashing heavy rains and violent winds across the eastern coast. The storm has led to the evacuation of over 2.8 million residents, with significant disruptions reported in densely populated areas.

Storm Overview and Impact

By Sunday morning, Bavi had weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland. However, meteorologists cautioned that the extensive storm system, comparable in size to France, could bring prolonged and widespread rainfall to eastern and northern China in the coming days.

State media reported that more than 2.8 million people had been evacuated, with over 2.2 million of those in Zhejiang province, a key economic hub in China. As of now, there have been no official reports of fatalities or injuries linked to the storm.

Bavi initially struck the coastal city of Yuhuan in Zhejiang at approximately 11:20 PM local time (1520 GMT) on Saturday, followed by a second landfall in Yueqing around midnight.

Eyewitness Accounts

Residents in affected areas described the intensity of the storm. A Yueqing resident noted the strong winds, stating that they could hear roof tiles and tree branches falling. He expressed concern over the unprecedented flooding, indicating that a previously accessible walkway was now submerged.

Reports indicate that over 1,300 trees were downed in Yueqing, with more than 700 uprooted entirely. The deepest flooding reached about half the height of a vehicle tire. Emergency crews were deployed to clear waterlogged streets, utilizing excavators and chainsaws to remove debris.

In the mountainous regions of Yueqing, footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV showed a landslide that sent large boulders tumbling onto a road, while swollen river waters submerged nearby trees.

Economic Damage

In Kanmen, a coastal fishing town in Yuhuan, local shop owner Lin Yongjin assessed the damage to his business. His shop, which faces the sea, sustained significant damage, with metal frames collapsing and a neighboring window blown out. Lin estimated the financial impact of the storm at over 6,000 yuan (approximately $885).

He recounted the chaos following the storm’s landfall, stating that rainwater flooded his home and that he and his family spent the night managing the situation without sleep until after 5 AM. Having experienced multiple typhoons, Lin remarked that this storm was particularly severe.

Transportation Disruptions

Bavi also affected transportation networks in the region. The storm passed over northern Taiwan on Saturday, causing strong winds and heavy rain, with some areas in Miaoli receiving nearly 80 cm (31 inches) of rainfall. Taiwan’s fire department reported 134 injuries, primarily from falls and being struck by objects, but no fatalities.

In Zhejiang’s capital, Hangzhou, two major train stations suspended all services, and 327 flights were canceled at Xiaoshan International Airport. Neighboring Shanghai reported the cancellation of 1,620 train trips and 684 flights.

By Sunday afternoon, Bavi had moved into eastern Anhui province and was forecast to turn northeast before entering the northern Yellow Sea on Tuesday, according to China’s National Meteorological Center.

Continued Weather Threats

The storm is expected to bring heavy to torrential rain across several provinces, including Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui, starting Monday. This raises concerns about flooding in areas already saturated from previous rainfall.

In Qianxi county of Hebei province, nearly 190 millimeters (7.5 inches) of rain fell from Saturday to Sunday morning. Verified social media footage showed rescuers using inflatable boats to reach individuals stranded on partially submerged vehicles in a public square transformed into a muddy lake.

Despite Bavi’s weakening after landfall, its extensive circulation could continue to produce severe weather conditions hundreds of kilometers inland. Experts have warned that China may face more extreme weather events this year, particularly with the anticipated emergence of the El Niño weather pattern, which can elevate temperatures and alter typhoon trajectories toward the coast.

Rapid intensification of typhoons poses challenges for communities and emergency management, as preparation time is significantly reduced, according to Benjamin Horton, dean of the School of Energy and Environment at the City University of Hong Kong.

As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-07-11 08:32:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk