Typhoon Bavi is taking aim at China after lashing Taiwan, where the capital Taipei shut schools and grounded flights as a precaution. The storm, packing winds of up to 130 km/h, is expected to make landfall in China's eastern provinces late Thursday or early Friday, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
Taiwan Braces for Impact
In Taiwan, authorities issued sea and land warnings as Bavi approached the island's northern coast. Taipei city government announced the closure of all schools and offices on Thursday, July 9, 2026, as heavy rain and gusty winds swept through the region. Flights at Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport were canceled or delayed, affecting thousands of passengers. The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau recorded rainfall of up to 200 millimeters in mountainous areas, raising concerns of landslides.
Video footage captured waves crashing against rocks along the coast of Keelung, a port city northeast of Taipei. The storm caused power outages affecting approximately 10,000 households, according to Taiwan Power Company. No casualties have been reported so far.
China Prepares for Landfall
China's National Meteorological Center upgraded its typhoon warning to orange, the second-highest level, as Bavi moved northwestward toward the coast of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. The storm is forecast to bring torrential rain and storm surges of up to 3 meters. Local governments have evacuated over 150,000 residents from low-lying areas and ordered fishing boats to return to port.
“We are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our people,” said a spokesperson for the Fujian Provincial Flood Control Headquarters. “Residents in coastal areas should stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.”
Regional Impact
The storm also disrupted transportation in other parts of East Asia. Ferry services between Taiwan and outlying islands were suspended, and some high-speed rail services in Taiwan were reduced. In China, train services along the southeastern coast were halted, and flights at airports in Fuzhou and Xiamen were canceled.
Typhoon Bavi is the second major storm to hit the region this month, following Typhoon Atsani that caused widespread flooding in the Philippines. Meteorologists warn that climate change is increasing the intensity of typhoons in the Pacific, with warmer ocean waters fueling stronger storms.
