Foreign News
Powerful Typhoon Bavi Forces Flight Cancellations Across Japan And Taiwan
A powerful Typhoon Bavi is sweeping across East Asia, prompting mass flight cancellations, evacuations and emergency preparations as Japan, Taiwan and China brace for severe weather over the coming days.
The storm is expected to pass extremely close to Japan’s Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture early on Saturday, bringing violent winds, torrential rain and the risk of landslides and flooding.
According to Japanese meteorological authorities, Bavi is packing maximum sustained winds of 162 km/h (100 mph), making it one of the strongest storms to threaten the region in recent years.
Japan Braces For Impact
Residents across the Sakishima Islands spent Friday securing homes and businesses by boarding up windows and installing protective nets.
Nearly 900 buildings in Okinawa Prefecture were already without electricity as the storm approached.
Air travel has also been severely disrupted. Japan Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights, while All Nippon Airways (ANA) grounded over 160 services, affecting almost 40,000 passengers through the weekend.
On Ishigaki Island, supermarket shelves were quickly emptied as residents stocked up on food and essentials ahead of the storm.
“I heard that this one will be pretty big,” said local bicycle shop owner Hiroshi Nomura. “I’m a little concerned about whether our typhoon preparations are enough.”
Philippines Reports Fatalities
Before reaching Japan, Bavi intensified seasonal monsoon rains over the Philippines.
Authorities said 10 people were killed in a landslide on the southern island of Mindanao, where heavy rainfall triggered by the storm caused widespread damage.
Taiwan Prepares For Heavy Rain
Although Bavi is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, forecasters warn it could dump up to one metre of rain in some areas.
The Taiwanese government has evacuated more than 2,000 residents, mainly from mountainous eastern regions, while nearly 29,000 military personnel have been placed on standby for disaster response.
Financial markets remained closed on Friday, and Taipei authorities distributed sandbags to residents in flood-prone neighbourhoods.
President Lai Ching-te urged people to remain vigilant, warning that despite weakening slightly, the storm’s large circulation could still produce dangerous winds and heavy rainfall.
Taiwan’s airlines have cancelled all scheduled Saturday departures from Taoyuan International Airport, while Cathay Pacific suspended several flights linking Hong Kong, Taiwan and eastern China.
The storm has also affected the technology sector, with TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, postponing the release of its June sales figures until Monday.
China Next In Line
After passing Japan and Taiwan, Bavi is forecast to make landfall late Saturday or early Sunday near Wenzhou in eastern China, a city of around 10 million people.
Authorities have already recalled fishing boats to harbour as communities prepare for strong winds and heavy rainfall.
“Everyone is getting ready for the typhoon,” said local fisherman Ye as he secured his vessel ashore.
With millions of people across East Asia in the storm’s path, authorities continue to warn residents to stay indoors, avoid coastal areas and prepare for possible flooding, landslides and prolonged power outages.
(with inputs from Reuters)
