Powerful storm forces flight cancellations, evacuations and emergency preparations as Japan, Taiwan and eastern China brace for heavy rain, landslides and coastal damage.
ISHIGAKI: A powerful typhoon bore down on Japan’s southwestern islands on Friday, triggering widespread emergency measures as authorities warned that destructive winds, torrential rain, flooding and landslides could make Typhoon Bavi one of the region’s most damaging storms in years.
The storm was approaching Japan’s Sakishima Islands, near Taiwan, with maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometres per hour (100 mph), prompting residents to secure homes and businesses while airlines cancelled dozens of flights across the region.
How are Japan’s southwestern islands preparing for the storm?
Residents across the Sakishima island chain rushed to complete storm preparations as Typhoon Bavi neared the region.
In Ishigaki, a popular tourist destination, supermarket shelves were emptied of emergency supplies, while shop owners reinforced buildings with protective nets and boarded up windows. Public beaches, coastal parks and the local ferry terminal were also closed as authorities prepared for dangerous weather conditions.
Officials warned that violent winds and heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods, landslides and widespread disruption across the islands.
What impact is Typhoon Bavi expected to have on Taiwan?
Although the typhoon is not forecast to make landfall in Taiwan, meteorologists warned it could dump up to one metre (3.3 feet) of rain over parts of the island beginning late Friday.
Taiwan closed financial markets, suspended work and classes across large parts of the north and east, and established emergency sandbag distribution centres to help reduce flood risks.
Authorities evacuated more than 1,000 residents, mainly from vulnerable mountainous areas along the eastern coast, while nearly 29,000 military personnel were placed on standby for disaster response and rescue operations.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te urged the public to remain vigilant, warning that despite a slight weakening, the storm’s large circulation could still produce destructive winds and heavy rainfall.
How has the storm disrupted transport and business?
Airlines in both Japan and Taiwan cancelled dozens of domestic and international flights ahead of the storm’s arrival, with Taiwanese carriers suspending all Saturday departures from Taoyuan International Airport.
The approaching typhoon also disrupted business operations, with semiconductor giant TSMC postponing the release of its June sales figures until Monday due to the severe weather.
Where is the storm expected to head next?
Forecasters said Typhoon Bavi is expected to continue moving northwest before making landfall late Saturday near the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou, home to approximately 10 million people.
Chinese authorities are also preparing for potential flooding, damaging winds and coastal impacts as the powerful storm advances toward the mainland.