Typhoon Bavi weakened on Saturday but continued to lash eastern China with strong winds and heavy rain, after making landfall in the coastal province of Zhejiang. The storm, which had been categorized as a typhoon, was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved inland, according to China's National Meteorological Center.
Impact on Coastal Areas
The typhoon brought huge waves to the coastline, with waves crashing over seawalls in the city of Wenling. Local authorities reported that the storm damaged crops and caused flooding in low-lying areas. More than 200,000 residents were evacuated from high-risk areas in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces ahead of the storm's arrival, according to state media. Flights and train services were suspended in several cities, and schools were closed as a precaution.
No Casualties Reported
As of Saturday evening, no casualties had been reported, though the storm caused economic losses estimated at over 1 billion yuan (approximately $140 million). The typhoon weakened as it moved northward, with wind speeds dropping to about 20 meters per second (72 km/h) by evening. The meteorological center warned that heavy rain would continue in parts of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces, with potential for flash floods and landslides.
