One of the largest storms to threaten East Asia in decades is closing in, forcing mass evacuations, grounding hundreds of flights and leaving communities racing against time after deadly landslides claimed lives in the Philippines.
A powerful typhoon sweeping across the Pacific is putting millions of people across East Asia on high alert after landslides triggered by the storm killed at least 15 people in the southern Philippines.
Typhoon Bavi, stretching nearly 1,000 kilometres across at its widest point, roughly the width of France, is moving toward Taiwan before expected landfall in southeastern China on Saturday, while also threatening Japan’s remote southern islands.
Emergency officials say the storm is likely to bring torrential rain, destructive winds and widespread flooding across several countries over the coming days.
In the Philippines, the first deadly impact has already been felt.
On the island of Mindanao, entire families were buried after rain-soaked hillsides collapsed overnight. Rescue teams have continued searching for missing residents as heavy rainfall persists across affected communities.
Weather officials warned that moderate to heavy rain will continue through the weekend, increasing the risk of further landslides and flash floods.
Taiwan is now preparing for what forecasters describe as one of the largest storms to threaten the island in nearly four decades.
Authorities have warned that some areas could receive up to one metre of rainfall, raising fears of severe flooding and mudslides.
Nearly 29,000 soldiers have been placed on standby to assist with emergency rescues, evacuations and disaster relief operations if conditions worsen.
The island’s Central Weather Administration says Bavi could become the biggest typhoon by size to strike Taiwan since 1987.
Despite calm weather before the storm’s arrival, residents have been urged not to become complacent.
“Don’t be fooled by the nice and calm weather now. A storm like this could be the most terrifying,” fisherman Chen Ming-hui said as he secured his boat ahead of the typhoon.
Across Taiwan, supermarket shelves have emptied as families rushed to buy food, drinking water and emergency supplies, while thousands of sandbags have been distributed to flood-prone communities.
Farmers have also been working quickly to harvest crops before the weather deteriorates.
Across the Taiwan Strait, Chinese authorities have warned that Typhoon Bavi could have a “significant impact” as it approaches Fujian province before potentially moving farther north.
Environmental expert Ma Jun warned that the storm’s enormous size means its rainbands could travel well beyond the initial landfall area.
“Bavi’s large size and abundant energy mean its remnants and outer rainbands could move from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces toward the Bohai Sea region.”
He urged northern provinces, which have less experience handling powerful typhoons than southern China, to strengthen emergency preparations.
Some weather models suggest the storm could make landfall twice after entering China.
Japan is also preparing for dangerous conditions.
Residents on the remote Sakishima Islands have been reinforcing homes by taping windows and installing protective nets, while airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights.
Japan Airlines has suspended more than 100 flights, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers, while All Nippon Airways has cancelled more than 160 services through Sunday.
Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines have also grounded flights to and from Taipei as the storm approaches.
The region is still recovering from Typhoon Maysak, which struck parts of southern China earlier this week.
That storm killed at least 39 people, forced more than 130,000 residents to evacuate and devastated farms across Guangxi province. It also triggered two rare tornadoes in central China, causing additional destruction.
With Typhoon Bavi expected to intensify as it moves closer to land, authorities across East Asia are urging residents to follow evacuation orders, avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for what could become one of the region’s most destructive storms in years.
