Overview
- Bavi struck Yuhuan in Zhejiang late on Saturday with 10-minute winds near 144 km/h and was downgraded to a severe tropical/tropical storm as it pushed northwest across land.
- Chinese authorities evacuated or sheltered roughly 1.7–2.0 million people and suspended classes, work and transport ahead of the storm.
- The storm’s broad circulation has produced torrential rain, widespread fallen trees, landslides and flooded streets in Zhejiang and neighbouring provinces as emergency crews clear debris.
- Regionally, Taiwan reported more than 100 injuries and mass flight cancellations after Bavi passed north of the island, while Philippine authorities said Bavi-enhanced monsoon rains caused about 17 deaths and displaced thousands.
- Meteorologists link Bavi’s size and rapid intensification to very warm Pacific sea temperatures and the returning El Niño, and forecasters warn prolonged rain could worsen flooding where soils and reservoirs were already saturated.